Difference between revisions of "Connection Practice"

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The [[Lightning Path]] provides several neurolinguistic tools (i.e. meditations, visualization, and mantras) [https://www.lightningpath.org/tools/] that can be used at various stages in the process to facilitate greater connection.
The [[Lightning Path]] provides several neurolinguistic tools (i.e. meditations, visualization, and mantras) [https://www.lightningpath.org/tools/] that can be used at various stages in the process to facilitate greater connection.


I don't think I can say it better than Margot Adler: "Chants, spells, dancing around a fire, burning candles, the smoke and smell of incense, are all means to awaken the 'deep mind'--to arouse high emotions, enforce concentration, and facilitate entry into an altered state. Again, Bonewits has said some of the most sensible words on this subject, observing that 'mandalas,' 'sigils,' 'pentacles,' and 'yantras' are all pictures to stimulate the sense of sight; 'mudras' or 'gestures' stimulate the kinesthetic sense; 'mantras' or 'incantations' [and prayers] stimulate the sense of hearing. The use of props, costumes, and scenery can also be seen as a method of stimulating the senses. In addition, drugs, alcohol, breathing exercises, and sexual techniques can serve to alter one's state of consciousness. According to Bonewits, these techniques function in the same way for a Witch or a ceremonial magician as for a Native American shaman or a Catholic priest. To say that these methods never cause psychic and psychological change ni the people involved is as absurd as other common attitudes--that certain religions have a monopoly on these experiences and that certain religions worship 'God' while others worship 'demons.' These techniques have existed for thousands of years and were developed by human beings for the purpose of widening their perceptions of reality, and changing their relationship to the world."<ref>Adler, Margot. Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today. Boston: Beacon Press, p. 158. </ref>
"Chants, spells, dancing around a fire, burning candles, the smoke and smell of incense, are all means to awaken the 'deep mind'--to arouse high emotions, enforce concentration, and facilitate entry into an altered state. Again, Bonewits has said some of the most sensible words on this subject, observing that 'mandalas,' 'sigils,' 'pentacles,' and 'yantras' are all pictures to stimulate the sense of sight; 'mudras' or 'gestures' stimulate the kinesthetic sense; 'mantras' or 'incantations' [and prayers] stimulate the sense of hearing. The use of props, costumes, and scenery can also be seen as a method of stimulating the senses. In addition, drugs, alcohol, breathing exercises, and sexual techniques can serve to alter one's state of consciousness. According to Bonewits, these techniques function in the same way for a Witch or a ceremonial magician as for a Native American shaman or a Catholic priest. To say that these methods never cause psychic and psychological change ni the people involved is as absurd as other common attitudes--that certain religions have a monopoly on these experiences and that certain religions worship 'God' while others worship 'demons.' These techniques have existed for thousands of years and were developed by human beings for the purpose of widening their perceptions of reality, and changing their relationship to the world."<ref>Adler, Margot. Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today. Boston: Beacon Press, p. 158. </ref>
 
Intent is also feature of Christian conceptualization of [[Connection]]. Thus one "accepts Christ" or makes a decision to turn towards Christ. <ref>Hewitt, Glenn A. Regeneration and Morality: A Study of Charles Finney, Charles Hodge, John W. Nevin, and Horace Bushnell. New York: Carlson Publishing, 1991.</ref>


==Further Reading==
==Further Reading==

Revision as of 21:24, 4 October 2019


A Connection Practice is any technique, such as meditation, writing, etc., that helps one strengthen and purify Connection.

Syncretic Terms

Connection Practice | Mysticism, Spiritual Exercises, Technologies of the Sacred

List of Connection Practices

Connection Practice >

Notes

Mystics often use language and metaphor in a special way, in an effort to trigger enlightenment in others.[1] Zen, in particular, is a Connection Practice, and a sophisticated one.

Connection Practices combined with Connection Appliances, like the TOSAS, and the careful and guided use of Connection Supplements can facilitate transformative Connection

The Lightning Path provides several neurolinguistic tools (i.e. meditations, visualization, and mantras) [1] that can be used at various stages in the process to facilitate greater connection.

"Chants, spells, dancing around a fire, burning candles, the smoke and smell of incense, are all means to awaken the 'deep mind'--to arouse high emotions, enforce concentration, and facilitate entry into an altered state. Again, Bonewits has said some of the most sensible words on this subject, observing that 'mandalas,' 'sigils,' 'pentacles,' and 'yantras' are all pictures to stimulate the sense of sight; 'mudras' or 'gestures' stimulate the kinesthetic sense; 'mantras' or 'incantations' [and prayers] stimulate the sense of hearing. The use of props, costumes, and scenery can also be seen as a method of stimulating the senses. In addition, drugs, alcohol, breathing exercises, and sexual techniques can serve to alter one's state of consciousness. According to Bonewits, these techniques function in the same way for a Witch or a ceremonial magician as for a Native American shaman or a Catholic priest. To say that these methods never cause psychic and psychological change ni the people involved is as absurd as other common attitudes--that certain religions have a monopoly on these experiences and that certain religions worship 'God' while others worship 'demons.' These techniques have existed for thousands of years and were developed by human beings for the purpose of widening their perceptions of reality, and changing their relationship to the world."[2]

Intent is also feature of Christian conceptualization of Connection. Thus one "accepts Christ" or makes a decision to turn towards Christ. [3]

Further Reading

Lightning Path Workbook Three: Connection. Lightning Path Press. https://www.lightningpath.org/lp-curriculum/lp-workbooks/

Sharp, Michael. The Great Awakening: Concepts and Techniques for Successful Spiritual Practice. Lightning Path Press.

Footnotes

  1. Organ, Troy. “The Language of Mysticism.” The Monist 47, no. 3 (1963): 417–33.
  2. Adler, Margot. Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today. Boston: Beacon Press, p. 158.
  3. Hewitt, Glenn A. Regeneration and Morality: A Study of Charles Finney, Charles Hodge, John W. Nevin, and Horace Bushnell. New York: Carlson Publishing, 1991.