Looking for Energy Manipulation Techniques

[Cosmo]

Hi

I see the term "energy maipulation" and "direct" energy manipulation used a lot and I am interested in getting involved with this practice. But so far I have only found things which involve visualization exercises like the middle pillar ritual and pisonics. I am more interested in something which empliys breath, posture/hand positions and visualization. I feel like it would be a lot more effective if more than one faculty is used. I saw the thread on energy manipulation and weaving but it doesn't have what I'm looking for because I'm hoping for actual techniques. Can the members here be kind enough to post some of their best techniques or provide a link. Although I am posting this thread on the wetsern philosophy section of the forum, I am up for anything, eastern or western, Thanks.

[m1thr0s]

Well that's really kind of weird Cosmo since that's exactly the style of visualization work I prefer and I am almost certain the weaving article was mine. So something must not have been made clear...

Let me lay out the scene as to how I personally work virtually all Abrahadabra related visualizations, given the understanding that this certainly can vary for those who prefer to work internally. But I prefer to work externally... I manipulate external space and thus allow the internal to find its own voice in its own way. I believe this is a grossly misinterpreted methodology so I take every possible precaution not to approach it like an idiot.

In a typical session I start with a low table maybe 10" off the ground on short legs or solid corner supports of some kind. Drape this (to the floor) with a solid black cloth and set up cushions sufficient to support you for several hours at least. You should be seated in a half-lotus or full lotus postion ideally but there are also low meditation stools designed for those who find this too difficult. In the center of the table place whatever object you intend to work with. I am partial to obsidion spheres but have had good results with quartz and amethyst and even good quality leaded glass spheres. I also work a lot with hand-crafted magickal mirrors featuring one or another images I want to charge up and study.

Flanking this object you should have at least two 10-12" tapered candles...black prefered so as to minimize visual obstruction. In some case a third taper placed on the far side of the object at center may also be preferable. Incense carriers are allowed as is anything that may seem to have a place in that setting but clutter is strictly forbidden and crap that just amuses you is to be left out of the equation completely. Beer cans, wine glasses, ashtrays etc...all need to have other places to rest. If you can set up an actual temple space set aside for these sessions this is preferred. If not, make sure to completely clean the area you will be working in first and get rid of any visual obstacles as well as you can. Clutter is a big problem with visualization work. It is preferable to have some kind of decent sound system so you set up a sound well to your liking.

If you will be working from notes or be referring to notes of some kind at intervals make a space for these but do not place them on the table (hereafter referred to as the alter). Also keep a working pen handy in case you need to jot down notes at some point. A lighter, additional candles, assorted paraphernalia all needs some convenient out of the way place to rest.

Weaving work is a two-handed operation with your dominant hand executing the primary force and your other hand smoothing & embellishing, so the hands are always working a kind of synchronized dance that you have to just sort of learn by doing. I always maintain an approximate distance of about 18-24" from the actual object being charged...enough to allow hands and arms to get fully engaged without stumbling into things or knocking things over. Projection work is thus *shot* at the object being charged from this distance at all times and will bounce back at you and emanate around you spherically as you get further into the heat of things. Certain materials and/or formulas may be more pyramidal than others so be aware of variations in the kinds of energy you move about. Amethyst tends to be intensely geometrical, for instance.

This is all very athletic stuff so synchronized breathing is an intergrated part of it. My hands and voice are my primarly tools but I do work with short wands if I can find one to my liking. Certain pens can even make decent wands (I am partial to Waterman ballpoint pens with brass casings since the base of these pens makes a great wand action). Mantras are chanted in a low steady roll that should strive to move like water...more accurately like liquid fire...not too high on the volume and not too excited...strong and steady chantwork that flows out evenly and with perfect coordination. Only words or phrases that are intended to be exploded should sound or feel explosive...Everything else should be strong and even...harmonic in nature.

Stops and starts should be integrated into the overall body of movements so that these do not become a party to something other than the work at hand. Treat stops as pregnant pauses and starts as continuations so that it feels as though the chantwork itself has no certain beginning or end but is like an ongoing dialogue you enter into that even continues on its own when you are not present. If you can achieve this feeling in all your actions and sounds, you will have managed to create the proper "between the worlds" vibration... You want to create a certain "rumble" that has a detectable staying power.

I only work in unicursal formulas personally...I have no time for diadic trinkets in actual sessions work...this is all for other times and places. I am of the opinion that all weaving work should be circular in nature which can include any shapes at all so long as they can be expressed in a circular kind of way. Therefor unicursal images are preferable over non-unicursals from a simple energy-working standpoint.

Scrying work is a blend of action and reaction...of doing and watching...initiating and receiving...so you have to learn to work out this active-passive balance as you go. It can't really be explained very well in words but it can be learned through doing things until they reach the proper form.

So that's the outline of how I proceed to set up weaving sessions. If that doesn't work for you, too bad...you missed the point somehow. I've been doing things this way for many years and I don't waste my own damn time. I almost always work alone unless I am doing ritual work or at most with a very select few people only who know how to keep proper pace with the energy that gets generated in these sessions, which is considerable. There are additional details we could get into but let's start from this and see if it's going where you want to go...we can hammer out details on the fly.

m1thr0s

[MythMath]

Multiple-angle DVD...

Will it be ready by Mithraismas...?

[m1thr0s]

Xst I hope so MM...I need something to bust loose here that's for sure...

sick to freaking death of false starts and dead-ended projects.

m1

[Fio Praeter Humanus]

I am not familer with the terms "energy manipulation and weaving" but what you describe m1thr0s is very close to being identical to the golden dawn method of charging talismans and tools.

Basic Z formula setup, pentagram and hexagrams etc etc, invocations blah blah blah. But the key stone, the apex of the working involves the charging of the talisman while using the sign of the enterer over and over again. Pushing the energy while reciting the invocation over and over again till you receive the effect.

Your not talking about the same thing, but the basic methodology is there. Good stuff.

[Kain]

Greetings Cosmo, welcome to Abrahadabra Forums,

Well, the real trigger for the manipulation of any form of energy energy essentially lies in a very direct "influence" that is conveyed by the practitioner. This is something that one learns from experience however as it ultimately transcends actions that are describable through the physical senses, and could be deemed the core of the practice in all it's possible forms. Since the discussion of this principle is not possible, various other more "codified" techniques for manipulating energy directly have evolved, which in fact can be effectively described. These are more indirect in their application, but collectively encompass all the appropriate principles that compose the initial "influence", as that is perceived throughout each of the senses.

Keeping the above in mind, visualization, mantric recitation, consciously directed breathing, hand gestures, crystal gazing/scrying and all other similar techniques essentially constitute the breaking down of that indiscribable skill into conveyable parts that can compose a valid system of practice.

I think the description of m1thr0s's main form of practice constitutes a quite powerful system, utilizing many important aspects as previously described. My own approach varies depending on my aim at the time. Standard "empowerment" and meditation practice for me involves a sitting posture of padmasana (lotus posture), ardha padmasana (half lotus posture) or siddhasana (accomplished posture), as they are described in the Asana practice of Yoga. The steadiness of the physical posture is very important when cultivating extensive charges of energy, and when working on particularly delicate opperations, so for a practice session of several hours where your focus will tend inward in the subtle centres/channels of the body and their properties, it is advisable to practice while in a proper Asana (posture). The posture also allows a sufficient neutralization of the tension and dissipation of the conscious focus on the various parts of the physical body, thus allowing consciousness to more easily "exit" purely physical experience and perceive/interract with subtler principles. Pranayama (conscious breathing) is also very crucial and should not be neglected. There's nothing much to say on pranayama techniques however, as a wealth of information can be found in traditional yogic doctrines, and other sources as well.

Internal mantric incantation also takes place, as does appropriate visualization, mudra (hand gesture), and bandha (physical and subtle body "locks", which allow energy to be diverted and course through different routes) practice. Through these, the energy currents of the body can be cultivated and intensified, the centers strengthened, and also various effects utilizing energy be accomplished.

For less formal workings however, energy manipulation can be approached while doing anything as long as one has sufficient focus. For instance, for a basic psychokinetic excercise such as the standard pinwheel of psionics, all the above are hardly necessary to accomplish it. Internal intensification of the currents through internal mantric recitation, visualization and physical body relaxation would be more than sufficient.

So there is plenty of room for personal modification of these general practices, and what suits oneself largely determines the course of one's actions and practice. I hope this post is somewhat helpful. Like m1thr0s says however, respond as to what has been already expressed and we'll take it from there...

I hope you find the community helpful Cosmo,

Kain

[Cosmo]

Thanks kain for the response it was very helpfulk, I was actually hoping for you to respond especially since I heard you speak of energy manipulation a lot on your posts. M1thros said he likes to work outside the body and the method he showed seems like working outside too. I am not at all familiar with the abrahadabra system or weaving so I aplogize if I seem ignorant of this whole thing. Right now I feel like I want to work inside the body rather than outside. from what I understand so far, working outside the body is like the part of the lbrp where you're supposed to trace the pentagrams in the air, is that weaving? I think I prefer to work internally for now. The other day I stumbledacross a website by Robert Bruce, he teaches a system of energy development called Astral Dynamics. I began to work with the stuff a little and so far I feel tingling sensations and heaviness in the part of the body I focus the exercises on. So it seems to be working. Kain you mention sitting in the full lotus, i can actually sit in that pose but I have a problem. I find that my body is most relaxed while I am lying down like in the corpse pose. But many techniques for example the middle pillar ritual ask that you stand while doing them. So this is a problem since I cannot relax deeply enough to become sensitive unless I am lying. Is this something which I will get used to overtime or am I doomed to do this sort of energy work laying on the ground my whole life? Thanks to all for the answers, I will ask more questions because there is still a lot I need to know about this whole process.

[imagenerator]

Cosmo, you might be interested Kundalini yoga, which has a lot of breath and body co-ordinated work. In my experience of taking Kundalini Yoga in a yoga studio that teaches a variety of types of yoga, the instruction does not give a lot of technical details on how energy is being directed, but the simultaneous use of body, breath, and mantra can be quite awakening. Thanks for insights into your personal practice m1thr0s.

[Cosmo]

Cosmo, you might be interested Kundalini yoga

Actually I am but from what I hear its supposed to be dangerous for a beginner. That's why I want to get used to working with regular energy first. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[m1thr0s]

Inside-Outside...who gives a shit? It's all the same thing in the final analysis. The only real difference is one of emphasis. But now that we know what your preferences are, it may be easier to point you in directions you will find useful.

I really don't know why you don't take up yoga for awhile...it forms a solid foundation to everything else really...it sounds like you need to do some reading as well...yoga is great...just don't get stuck in anything too milk-toast or new-agey. Maybe find somebody who can teach you some real prananyama techniques...these form the basis to everything really.

Clearly you are not ready for Trigrammaton yet and that's ok...a time and a place for everything...

m1thr0s

[Okazaki Castle]

Very interesting post there m1thr0s, always did kind of wonder, yet could never get a perfectly clear image when I checked. So thanks for that, helps my undertsanding of how you work your system a lot :)

Cosmo, I'd say: study Chi-Kung. Plenty of books out there on how to do it. I'd recommend Chi Kung by Yves Requena (http://www.redwingbooks.com/products/books/ChiKunChiArt.cfm). He is not Chinese (which people normally like of their authors of Chi Kung books) but his material is superb and he is indeed more than he seems, though discreetly so. Also, he is stylish and writes well.

all the best,
OC.

[Kain]

M1thros said he likes to work outside the body and the method he showed seems like working outside too. I am not at all familiar with the abrahadabra system or weaving so I aplogize if I seem ignorant of this whole thing. Well, I think m1thr0s has a point when saying that there really is no ultimate difference between the so-called internal and external workings. The Body of Light is vast enough to ultimately encompass and also even bridge the differentiation. However, we still do not consciously perceive and experience it to such an extent, and thus, the differentiation is "real" for us and springs forth all these varying approaches regarding energy work.

Working "internally" has the effect of working in very close relation to the physical plane and body. This is a plus or a minus, depending on one's standpoint and one's immediate goals. More abstract systems on the other hand function through more subtle projections, not so directly interlaced with the operations taking place in the physical vehicle.

Finally, concerning Trigrammaton, I should point out that I personally think that it is a system that most directly and closely maps the machinations of direct "Influence", at least to the extent that such a phenomenon can be described. The very interplay of Duality and it's underlying Unity is a concept shared by pretty much all important systems of philosophy and metaphysical practice throughout the ages, and I think is essentially utilized even by those that choose to disregard it or have not heard of it, as it encompasses the underscoring script of universal Change itself. Due to this fact, it can also be approached through different ways and techniques, so there is freedom in that. Right now I feel like I want to work inside the body rather than outside. from what I understand so far, working outside the body is like the part of the lbrp where you're supposed to trace the pentagrams in the air, is that weaving? Weaving is a form of energy manipulation that is applied upon space, whether internal or external. The differentiation between the two fades during energy work, and becomes less and less important the deeper one enters the appropriate state.
The other day I stumbledacross a website by Robert Bruce, he teaches a system of energy development called Astral Dynamics. I began to work with the stuff a little and so far I feel tingling sensations and heaviness in the part of the body I focus the exercises on. So it seems to be working. Those are signs that something is actually occuring there in some degree. They are encouraging marks, especially for beginners. So, yeah, I think that this shows that your practice is bringing about results.
Kain you mention sitting in the full lotus, i can actually sit in that pose but I have a problem. I find that my body is most relaxed while I am lying down like in the corpse pose. But many techniques for example the middle pillar ritual ask that you stand while doing them. So this is a problem since I cannot relax deeply enough to become sensitive unless I am lying. Is this something which I will get used to overtime or am I doomed to do this sort of energy work laying on the ground my whole life? If you choose to incorporate Asana(posture) in your practices (which I highly reccomend, personally), this will also require of you a state of physical fitness appropriate for the Asanas that you choose to practice. Also, most of western ritual magick does not really incorporate physical posture into their practices, so a simple "stand erect" position like the one you described is the usual directive you will receive in them.

Shavasana (the corpse pose) is a relaxation posture, so it is only natural for you to feel most relaxed while in that posture. Still, the posture is not especially appropriate compared with the potency of other possible postures. The more "advanced" postures offer a better conscious standpoint regarding energy work, but they also require an amount of physical training to attain them. An asana is mastered when one can effortlessly assume and maintain it for a very long length of time (usually, if an asana can be maintained for a span of 3 hours without discomfort, it is said to be "mastered" by the practitiner).

So the discomfort felt while in padmasana (lotus posture) is due to the fact that you are not physically trained yet to effortlessly attain it. Various excercises for the leg, knee and ancle joints can help you improve your performance in that field, as do back excercises for managing to retain your back straight for long periods of time. Practicing it daily for as long as you can maintain it without discomfort also helps increase your ease and relaxation while attaining it. Once mastered, it will endow you with a much better conscious standpoint to practice energy manipulation in rather than shavasana. So your problem is one of physical excercise and endurance concerning this subject, as the physical body is equally important and necessary to take place in this procedure as it's subtler equivalents.

I would second m1thr0s's advice about taking up yoga properly for a while if you're interested, as it is in my view also the basis of all these aspects discussed. As for Kundalini yoga, it should be noted that it is hardly the only form of yoga incorporating asana, pranayama and mantra-japa excessively. Pretty much all forms of yoga do so in fact. I should also add that Kundalini work is a rather advanced subject, which due to it's physical proximity, can have quite explosive consequences. Like all things, it is a tool, and if misused one can hurt oneself badly. But this is true with all forms of energy work, it's just that Kundalini is rather keen on physical proximity, so it makes more impressive/evident scars if it misfires...

Kain

[Cosmo]

Thanks Kain for all the clarifications, Okazaki thanks for the links I will look into them. I will take your advice M1thr0s and take up yoga, the authentic type not the physical exercises only but that too. It actually seems like yoga would be a great first step. I will take that up and continue to do the energy work from astral dynamics. Im glad the sensations I'm getting means I am effecting something. Thanks to everyone for the responses they were really helpful.


Clearly you are not ready for Trigrammaton yet and that's ok...a time and a place for everything...
m1thr0s

I guess you're right judging by the fact that I don't even know what that is, lol.

[Kain]

I agree that it would make a great first step, as it gives oneself a stern foundation in pretty much all essential areas that one should focus on to move on in this field. You may also be interested in checking out the Meditation and Yoga resources, found here (http://www.forums.abrahadabra.com/showthread.php?t=318) Cosmo.

Kain

[m1thr0s]

I'd like to recommend a book that many regard as the single most important book you can read on Yoga, its principles and general philosophy: Four Chapters on Freedom by Swami Satyananda Saraswati - a Commentary on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

This book will save you many countless hours of sifting through lesser quality materials to ascertain the core precepts behind yogic practise...

m1thr0s

[Kain]

Thank you m1thr0s, I will have to get that one myself at some point I think...a most wonderful author from other titles I've read though, to be sure.

Kain

[m1thr0s]

I am not familer with the terms "energy manipulation and weaving" but what you describe m1thr0s is very close to being identical to the golden dawn method of charging talismans and tools.That doesn't surprize me Nero...a lot of Golden Dawn stuff is very solid...very rooted in well worn grooves. Where it tends to fall apart is in making the leap to future science, and this is where so-called "magick" is going, although in saying this, I do not mean to imply that modern science will be somehow taking over the reigns. Quite the opposite actually...modern science is rooted in its own petty predjudices whether it owns up to it or not...in part because it has become such an *industry* and is very much controlled through money etc.

Talismanic magic is very tightly linked to the tantras so that much of what works in talismanic magick has been around for thousands of years already and only the outer form of things has changed to meet the needs of the *now*. As we move into the future, this stuff is going to begin to look a lot more like a bona fide bio-tech, which it really always has been to begin with...

m1thr0s