Ways of exploring metaphysics: esoterica? exoteria? alquimia? magik?
By missak
@missak (3311)
Spain
July 2, 2007 11:05am CST
As far as I know, there are two main ways of researching into metaphysics, both present in most cultures.
The first one is the open way, teaching everybody in the comunity and learning from collective experiences. This way is quiet "democratic" as anyone can see who has a real erudiction or knowledge or maybe was born with special powers/sensibilities (i.e. witches), and thus, this abilities can be used for common wealth (i.e. healing).
The second one appeared when the first one became polemic then forbidden and persecuted, or when some witches decided to keep their powers for themselves. So it is the hidden way, based on secrecy. To attain metaphysical knowledge in this context, one has to pass several texts and prouves, with the ojective of preserving the knowledge (keeping it from persecuters or from "normal" people). In this context the figure of the witch acquires extra social powers (politics) and is nearly diminished.
I have read somewhere that the exo- and eso- prefixes from exoterica and esoterica come from "outside" and "inside" in greek, in relation with whether they are spread out or hidden inside. Also the word magik, alquimia and witchcraft seem to have implicit this idea... have you ever thought of this?
I think actually any kind of witchcraft or use/spread of metaphysical knowledge has some amount of both thoose "methods". So, do you agree? If you are related to some of this, which amount of each do you think has your tradition/beliefs/techniques? What name do you use for it? And if you are not related, what is your opinion? Is your opinion related to the public or the hidden method?
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2 responses
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
2 Jul 07
This is a very interesting question.
I do practice some things that could be seen as metaphysics or magic within my own personal religious and spiritual practices, but I've never really thought about which category they would fall into. Because I learned originally from my great-grandmother, and I am as far as I know the only person she taught, it would seem that those practices were passed to me esoterically. However, there was never any compunction upon me not to share anything I knew, and has never been since then. It was merely that she did not share with others because they weren't interested, or it wouldn't be accepted within the place where we lived.
In my own spiritual life, there have been times that I have been cast in a "mentor" type role to others who were learning, but I have never been entirely comfortable with that role. Part of it has to do with my own physical age: it is awkward teaching people older than you sometimes, even when you have been doing what you are doing since you were a small child. Part of it has more to do with my own social anxiety, and other matters of the sort.
As a parent, I plan to teach my son anything he wishes to learn from me in matters of religion, spirituality, metaphysics... but I also plan for him to learn from his father and others whose ways are different from my own. So this knowledge would also not be something I am requiring an "initiation" or "secrecy" for, although I would expect some amount of discretion be used simply in interest of politeness within the community (aka not being thought nuts).
I'm nto sure if I'm on topic entirely here, as I am tired. Please correct me if I have misunderstood your post or rambled.
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@missak (3311)
• Spain
2 Jul 07
Yes, you have covered the topic in a wonderful manner! And you have added to it a modern perspective, what is very nice. So I conclude nowadays "secrecy" is not so important, since the first worry of this teachings is not to fall in abandonment...
I would just add a vocabulary question: what of thoose words you prefer to use and why? Do you find some of them would not be correct to define your practices?
In my case, I prefer to use metaphysics since I think that represent more acurately a philosophical study and analysis of all that, what is actually what I intend to do. I don't like "esoterica" since it can cause confusion whether it is open or secret and whether it is for self profit or healing... Maybe the original word was correct but the current usage is unprecise...
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@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
3 Jul 07
This really gets into the realm for me of having to consider of who I am talking to! In my everyday life, I have interactions with many different types of people, who each have their own backgrounds, interests, beliefs, prejudices. If I am talking to someone whose ideas and beliefs I don't know, I am perhaps more likely to say "But that reaches into the realm of the metaphysical (or spiritual)." because trying to explain something, in order to feel them out on the issue before jumping in.
If I am talking to others with similar beliefs to my own, words commonly used for those sorts of practice are "magick", "magic", "spellcraft", etc. Those sorts of words have become nearly neutral in my mind because of so much usage, and don't really imply secrecy or lack thereof to me at all.
Among my friends, we have many of our own slang or obscure terms for practices, based on long time spent together and the need to sometimes talk in public places about unpopular things. So often we have conversations about the spiritual or metaphysical referencing things in our own lives by terms that other people think are gibberish, or don't really seem to have a place in the conversation to an outsider.
This discussion is taking a lot of thought for me, hence my rambling a little. Honestly there is much about my own practice that I don't "call" anything, it just is. I would never, ever use the word "esoterica" in everyday language, perhaps because it makes me think of elitists who tend feel they own what cannot be owned. I don't want to say that I am prejudiced against people who join or take part in iniatory orders, and I can respect that there are many good reasons for doing so! I do believe that there should be commitment from those who learn, and that there are things that should not be learned until you are ready, and having iniatory orders and "secrecy" is one way of enforcing both of those. However, in practice sometimes people who are part of groups of that sort find themselves falling into a trap of elitism and "social status" that I just can't deal with personally.
I suppose for me the simple words are the best in my everyday life. Just saying "magic" or "spiritual things" is usually my way.
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@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
2 Jul 07
I would think it comes form both ways but some are willing to be forward with their thoughts. HIdden would really hurt the person that is hiding it .
I think some times I have a way of know things before they happen. BUt I really dont have any power to do any thing about it so I just go on. and I hope I know what you are getting at here. blessings
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