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I have done a little but officially only got to step 2. I have used Rawn’s commentaries but did not do the archaeous exercises. To be honest, in the end I can say the practice was not worthwhile for me. I was trying to use it to tie together magical concepts with the body but it was very counter-intuitive for someone of my persuasions – I am slowly coming to understand that the kind of things Michael is offering may suit me better.
The Bardon stuff is very head-centred really. I can’t find alot more to say about it. Maybe one day i will take another look at it, but it didn’t work for me in practice I’m sorry to say. I think it certainly does work for some though, so if you like the idea give it a go. There is nothing wrong with it in principle.
I have to say also though that the elemental attributions in Bardon don’t match with the Taoist ones I see here, in terms of what goes where in the body. There may be some compatibility issues therefore, although I cannot say for sure.
Sorry I couldn’t be more help! The further I got with Bardon the more of a struggle I found it. I actually found Rawn’s eight temples of kabballah more helpful, but even they are just visualizations.
NN
“I have to say also though that the elemental attributions in Bardon don’t match with the Taoist ones I see here, in terms of what goes where in the body. There may be some compatibility issues therefore, although I cannot say for sure. ”
Not really on topic, but just wanted to add.
If I remember right, the elements in Bardons book are from western magick, which are similar (or maybe even the same) as to those used in Tantra, Buddhism, Yoga… They˙re not the same as the Taoist five elements. Supposedely they are on a more subtle level. I`m trying to get used to using the 5 phases instead of 5 elements when talking about taoist 5 elements.I tried to find out, some time ago, which element from one tradition is the same in the other. Because I wasn`t sure of the “compatibility” issues too. I was mainly practicing qigong that used the 5 phases, but also wanted to try some stuff from Tibetan Tantra, however the elements were different.
There are many similarities, however there also many differences in the elemental correspondences. So after learning more about this during a camp (MA, qigong), I now share this view. The 5 phases are on a more gross level, while the 5 elements are more subtle. Each of the five phases contains the 5 elements. So in Metal, for example, there is space (which I think to be Aether in western terms), air, fire, water and earth. I think it is possible to view this the other way around as well, but I˙m not sure yet.
So now, although I don`t practice anything that would work directly with the 5 elements right now, I don`t see a problem. The difference is just the level you are working on.
You guys are more suited to it than I am and I suggest you consider yourselves experts compared to me! NN
“You guys are more suited to it than I am and I suggest you consider yourselves experts compared to me!”
Hmmm, I don`t understand this response. Are you being sarcastic or what? I didn`t intend to make myself look like I somehow know more than you or something.
>>Are you being sarcastic or what?<<
No way! I really and seriously don't think I understand the Bardon stuff as well as you do, from what you're saying. Honest! My practice of it just collapsed under its own weight, not once but twice. I had no talent for it whatsoever, but I thought that because I'm good at other kinds of 'magic' I could somehow make it work. Nope!
So all's I meant was, no need to ask me about it since I think you and TheLerner already have a good handle on what it's about – and I realize now I never really did.
best NN
Hey Michaelerner –
>>I have found Nnonnth to be such a lucid, well rounded, with it practitioner here I thought it would take the opportunity to pick his brains.<<
I'm flattered!
I think the problem is that I have checked into alot of stuff, but even after all this time, I still don't know exactly what it is I'm practicing! Sometimes everything is clear, but never so that I can articulate it. I really am enjoying checking into Taoism now and I hope that it will elucidate things better. Meanwhile though I am so instinctual about everything, it is very hard to follow a method that is intellectual like Bardon's. – of course it's not really inellectual at all I expect, but it seems so to me.
I have to say that I have just been reading some sayings of Lu Dongbin, and if what is being taught here really is related to him, that will be more like it for me!
NN
LOL
I can`t really say I understand Bardons stuff either, at least not yet, because it hasn`t been my focus so far. I just read the theory and glanced through the practice. I found it interesting, and as something that I might “delve into” in the future. But now I just wanted to add something on the elements with my post. 🙂Best wishes,
Peter
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