Ave,
Mathematics is fascinating, and an excellent way to experience the mental plane. I've been studying Euclid's Elements in order to understand Geometry; in the Golden Dawn, one of the first things we do in beginning our study is meditate upon geometric figures. These figures are a doorway into certain mental states; unfortunately, this line of work isn't pursued with any real depth (at least, not in the Outer Order). I get the feeling that this is the case with most modern Western Magic, and that's a shame.
You'd be hard pressed to find entrance into the old greek and egyptian schools without it.
Geometry was a deeply important tool for growth of the mind and understanding in both Greek and Egyptian mystery schools-a quick bit of research will make that clear to any who wish to look-and with good reason. There are few better tools for gnosis of and development within the mental plane. The geometric figures are doorways to this plane; contemplating first the figure (which is an image) is work upon the astral/yetziratic plane....delve but a bit deeper, into the formulae and angles that produce and describe the figure, and you find yourself smack dab in the Mental/Briatic plane, where all is made of Meaning.
Done with proper reverance and intent, a well worked Geometric formulae-based ritual has an effect similar to Rising on the Planes. That is from my own small attempts-I am just beginning to study and work through Elements, and I only have experienced a small portion of what geometry has to offer spiritually. Learning mathematics in the classroom seems to have taught us to approach the complexity and depth of geometry with frustration, instead of reverence. When I let that go, I became aware that the "solutions" to geometric problems are Realized on the mental plane-instead of mentally wrestling with a formula, I try to rise up the planes through contemplation, and have Gnosis of the answer. These experiences can be very profound!
Working through geometric formulae, with geometric figures can be a mediative and contemplative act....I wouldn't be suprised it one could attain spiritual states through contemplating formulae that described them. Geometry is a true language, giving descriptions of truths that are beyond the information garnered by our senses alone.
I wonder if there are Order's about now that approach Geometry as a spiritual tool? Is anyone else out there exploring this?
In LVX,
Fra AIT
http://www.goldenmean.info/
ReplyDeleteInteresting-there might be some great info there, but that's got to be the worst design for an informational site I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteAhh...Sacred Geometry. Probably should have googled that myself, haha.
ReplyDeleteI always come at this from the perspective of middle school education — since that's my primary focus. There's a book series from a guy at Ruler and Compass by Andrew Sutton is great for this), and energetically as well. For the second grade, one is presented with the five Platonic solids, and then one learns to construct them in paper using the Whole Movement book. These are learned both as physical constructs and energetic ones. And then for the third grade, the Mastership of the lodge, if you will, you have to build a piece of moving sculpture that plays with both two dimensions and three.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought.
Wow, the last comment got cut off because I got too fancy with formatting.... To recap... I always come at this from the perspective of middle school education — since that's my primary focus. There's a book series from a guy at WholeMovement that shows how to build origami geometrical solids with paper circles. I've thought this could be the basis of three initiatory experiences... In the first, the candidate is presented with a triangle, a square, a pentagon and an octagon— flat shapes. (For learning the flat shapes, Ruler and Compass by Andrew Sutton is great for this), and energetically as well. For the second grade, one is presented with the five Platonic solids, and then one learns to construct them in paper using the Whole Movement book; one also learns them energetically. These are learned both as physical constructs and energetic ones. And then for the third grade, the Mastership of the lodge, if you will, you have to build a piece of moving sculpture that plays with both two dimensions and three — a mobile, a machine, a piece of artwork with interconnecting parts...
ReplyDeleteJust a thought.