What to read?

[Kiehlroy]

I've recently been freed of certain preconceptions of the so called "metaphysical" world so I'm wondering where to go now. My main problem is that I am not sure what the proper sequence of introduction should be.

My girlfriend has a few books on the occult but she seems to have no suggestions as to what to read first, I'm a novice in this field and would really appreciate any suggestions as a first read or sequence of material to read.

I have a basic understanding in comparative religion and philosophy but I have only dipped into the mystic or occult traditions recently. I'm really having a hard time trusting anything I read these days as I've come to a greater understanding of what "truth" means.


In other words, I want to stay grounded in reason as best as I can as that is where I was previously harbored. I don't want to drift too far too soon if you understand.

[MythMath]

Hunker down and spend a few months reading the threads here...

Any time you feel a tingle, go google or bing it, take notes, make a list...

Use the Force, Luke... :yes:

Read about those things that resonate with you most first...

Lather, rinse, repeat...

[s1m0n]

Sir James Frazer, The Golden Bough (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Bough).

[fr.novumorganum]

Prometheus rising or cosmic trigger by robert anton wilson

[Kiehlroy]

you know it's funny as I have all those books here and in queue. The force huh? Interesting.

Thanks for the responses guys.

[izi]

Read The Book of Mirrors,found at the top of the abrahadabra.com portal.

[Saxarba]

Ultraculture Journal (http://www.scribd.com/doc/18685/Ultraculture-Journal-One)
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Lately I've been feeling as if most occult gibberish is just a means of breaking up the crud that forms around our minds and rigidifies our energy. And that the ideal is to be in a superconductive state as much as possible, as transformation occurs automatically in this state.

And then you don't need the occult or magic anymore because everything becomes magic.

On the other hand, I feel that now I know this, I can rapidly advance in anything I do. Whether occult or otherwise.

edit: I take this back, it isn't the full story...what's happening is far more complex and surreal...

[Kuroyagi]

Hmm..let's say this one:

Christopher Lehrich: The Occult Mind (http://www.amazon.com/Occult-Mind-Magic-Theory-Practice/dp/0801445388)

[Filius Fortunae]

I recommend the Enneads by Plotinus.


Everything else is icing on the cake.

[solve_omnis]

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

...i guess it kind of depends on what you're looking for and what strikes your fancy. the best general survey of practical occultism in my exalted opinion ;) is crowley's Magick Without Tears. unfortuantely, the unexpurgated edition is ridiculously hard to find and quite expensive, and some of the most important things were cut out of the one that's generally available. it's still a decent start, and may help clarify your ideas about what it is Exactly that you want to find.

Love is the law, love under will.

[frater luciferi]

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

...i guess it kind of depends on what you're looking for and what strikes your fancy. the best general survey of practical occultism in my exalted opinion ;) is crowley's Magick Without Tears. unfortuantely, the unexpurgated edition is ridiculously hard to find and quite expensive, and some of the most important things were cut out of the one that's generally available. it's still a decent start, and may help clarify your ideas about what it is Exactly that you want to find.

Love is the law, love under will.

i happen to own both "magick without tears" and "magick in theory and practice" and as much both books are pretty good at laying out crowelys system of magick i tend to find that "magick in theory and practice" is a far better book. Not that i dont love "magick without tears". ... so yeah get both books for sure!

a couple books i would recommend are

the dhammapada
the kybalion
morals and dogma - by albert pike
prometheus rising-robert anton wilson
carl jung-archetypes and the collective unconcious

and definately read the tutorials on this site. There are a lot of really smart people here who have a treasure trove of valuable info.

[UHF Tycoon]

http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/core9/phalsall/texts/taote-v3.html

Tao Te Ching.