...
Shit, that the world is one big lie is blatantly obvious. Perhaps I am an alchemist? If I am one, I'm so incredibly good at what I do that I appear to be an ordinary person. When the world sees me, they just see a typical asshole who is critical of the perceptions that others blissfully wallow in. To others, it appears that I wallow in skepticism and I have no ambition. That's probably true, which is why my disguise is impeccable.
Quoting: Jonny Blaze if you are still mimicking perhaps it is time to lose the costume and put your trust in higher. Some people can see the real you. We all take on the traits needed to do our function... so we appear to be something different to everybody, except those who are still honest and such
mimicking? hmm. The costume is everything. To put on the costume one must lose the fear of being a fool, which requires trust in self.
once trust in self is established, the true nature of our fellow man is revealed. Their intent becomes visible to the seer in their actions. The seer sees the true nature of man and the true nature of the world.
being an alchemist involves seeing the cubic centimeter of chance...or the weak spots in the moment. Events for the most part are out of our control. However, one with focus and intent can see these moments when they mysteriously appear and, if he/she has the energy to spare and the will to do so, interact with these moments in a way that an average man is almost totally oblivious to.
Whoa. I would like to harness this.
Lesson 1:
The preparation for this is simply this:---Learn to cast away from thee all vile affections---all levity and inconstancy of mind; let all thy dealings be free from deceit and hypocrisy; avoid the company of vain young men; hate all profligacy and profane speaking.
Lesson 2:
Keep thy own, and thy neighbor's secrets; court not the favors of the rich; despise not the poor, for he who does will be poorer than poorest.
Lesson 3:
Give to the needy and unfortunate what little thou canst spare; for he that has but little, whatever he spares to the miserable, God shall amply reward him.
Lesson 4:
Be merciful to those who offend thee, or who have injured thee; for what must that man's heart be, who would take heavy vengeance on a slight offender? Thou shalt forgive thy brother until seventy times seven.
Lesson 5:
Be not hasty to condemn the actions of others, lest thou shouldst, the next hour, fall into the very same error; despise scandal and tattling; let thy words be few.
Lesson 6:
Study day and night, and supplicate thy Creator that he would be pleased to grant thee knowledge and understanding; and that the pure spirits may have communication with, and influence, in thee.
Lesson 7:
Be not overcome with drunkenness; for, be assured, that half the evils that befall mankind originate in drunkenness : for too great a quantity of strong liquors deprive men of their reason; then, having lost the use of the faculty of their judgment, they immediately become the recipient of all evil influences, and are justly compared to weathercocks, that are driven hither and thither by every gust of wind; so those who drown the reasonable power, are easily persuaded to the lightest and most frivolous pursuits, and, from these, to vices more gross and reprobate; for the ministers of darkness have never so favorable an opportunity of insinuating themselves into the minds and hearts of men, as when they are loft in intoxication. I pray you to avoid this dreadful vice.
Lesson 8:
Avoid gluttony, and all excess---it is very pernicious, and from the Devil : these are the things that constantly tempt man, and by which he falls a prey to his spiritual adversary; for he is rendered incapable of receiving any good or divine gift. Besides, the divine and angelic powers of essences delight not to be conversant about a man who is defiled, and thinking with debauchery and excess.
Lesson 9:
Covert not much gold, but learn to be satisfied with enough; for to desire more than enough, is to offend the Deity.
Lesson 10:
Read often these ten preparatory Lessons to fit thee for the great work, and for the receiving of higher things; for the more pure thou art in heart and mind, by so much quicker shall you perceive those high secrets we teach, and which are entirely hid from the discernment of the vicious and depraved, because it never can happen that such a source of treasure can be attained merely to satisfy our most gross, earthly, and vain desires and inclinations; because here nothing must be thought to be grasped, or wrested out of this book, but to the fulfilling of a good end and purpose...
From "The Magus" by Francis Barrett, first published 1801.
The real question,
OP, is how
close is one
to finding
his or her own
philosopher's stone?
