Franz Bardon's IIH

[AshvinP]

Kaje recently brought my attention to Franz Bardon and his Initiation Into Hermetics. I thought it would be interesting to share here and perhaps discuss some of the practices over time. Unlike Anthroposophy, it does not focus much on the underlying spiritual relationships that we are seeking to gain orientation to, except for a brief 'theory' section, but delves quite directly into step-by-step practice.

Free Man Creator has some more information on IIH here and its commonalities and differences with Anthroposophical practices.

Here is the first step in the IIH practice:

Step I:
Magical Schooling of the Spirit
Thought Control, Thought Discipline, Mastery of Thoughts

(1) Thought Control

Seat yourself comfortably in a chair or lie down on a sofa or bed. Relax your entire body, close your eyes and observe your train of thought for five minutes, and make an attempt to remember these thoughts. In the beginning you will notice that thoughts which pertain to matters of everyday life, professional or job-related matters, worries etc. will rush in on you. Your position to this flow of thoughts should be that of a silent observer, completely free and independent. This exercise will either be difficult or easy, depending upon your situation and your present state of mind. When difficulties occur, do not lose your train of thought and do not lose sight of yourself, but observe your thoughts attentively. Do not fall asleep during this exercise. Should you become tired, immediately discontinue the exercise and postpone it till another time, at which time you will have made up your mind that you will not fall victim to tiredness. People of the Orient, for example India, sprinkle or wash their faces and upper body with cold water in order to remain alert, so that they do not lose valuable time. In order to prevent and overcome tiredness and sleepiness you can take a few deep breaths before you begin your exercise.

The student will in time develop these and similar methods himself. This thought control exercise has to be practiced in the morning and in the evening, starting with five minutes. Every day this exercise should be extended by one minute, so that within a week you are able to observe and control your own thoughts for at least ten minutes without the slightest digression. This period of time is necessary for the average human being. Should this span of time not be sufficient, then you can extend this term in accordance with your own powers of perception. Be conscientious in everything; it serves no purpose to do these exercise in haste. Every person’s development is individual. Under no circumstances should you advance to the next exercise until you have completely mastered the present one.

The attentive student will notice how, in the beginning, he is besieged by thoughts, and how quickly they pass by him, so that it will be difficult for him to remember all of them. However, from one exercise to the next he will notice that these thoughts will appear less chaotically, and will abate little by little until only a few thoughts emerge in the consciousness as if from afar.

You must devote the greatest attention to this thought control exercise because it is extremely important in magical development, a fact which you will later understand. Provided that you have practiced this exercise sufficiently and mastered it, we can begin with the instruction of the next exercise, namely mental development.

Bardon, Franz. Initiation Into Hermetics (pp. 53-54). Merkur Publishing. Kindle Edition.

[Federica]

Kaje recently brought my attention to Franz Bardon and his Initiation Into Hermetics. I thought it would be interesting to share here and perhaps discuss some of the practices over time. Unlike Anthroposophy, it does not focus much on the underlying spiritual relationships that we are seeking to gain orientation to, except for a brief 'theory' section, but delves quite directly into step-by-step practice.

Free Man Creator has some more information on IIH here and its commonalities and differences with Anthroposophical practices.

Here is the first step in the IIH practice:

Step I:
Magical Schooling of the Spirit
Thought Control, Thought Discipline, Mastery of Thoughts

(1) Thought Control

Seat yourself comfortably in a chair or lie down on a sofa or bed. Relax your entire body, close your eyes and observe your train of thought for five minutes, and make an attempt to remember these thoughts. In the beginning you will notice that thoughts which pertain to matters of everyday life, professional or job-related matters, worries etc. will rush in on you. Your position to this flow of thoughts should be that of a silent observer, completely free and independent. This exercise will either be difficult or easy, depending upon your situation and your present state of mind. When difficulties occur, do not lose your train of thought and do not lose sight of yourself, but observe your thoughts attentively. Do not fall asleep during this exercise. Should you become tired, immediately discontinue the exercise and postpone it till another time, at which time you will have made up your mind that you will not fall victim to tiredness. People of the Orient, for example India, sprinkle or wash their faces and upper body with cold water in order to remain alert, so that they do not lose valuable time. In order to prevent and overcome tiredness and sleepiness you can take a few deep breaths before you begin your exercise.

The student will in time develop these and similar methods himself. This thought control exercise has to be practiced in the morning and in the evening, starting with five minutes. Every day this exercise should be extended by one minute, so that within a week you are able to observe and control your own thoughts for at least ten minutes without the slightest digression. This period of time is necessary for the average human being. Should this span of time not be sufficient, then you can extend this term in accordance with your own powers of perception. Be conscientious in everything; it serves no purpose to do these exercise in haste. Every person’s development is individual. Under no circumstances should you advance to the next exercise until you have completely mastered the present one.

The attentive student will notice how, in the beginning, he is besieged by thoughts, and how quickly they pass by him, so that it will be difficult for him to remember all of them. However, from one exercise to the next he will notice that these thoughts will appear less chaotically, and will abate little by little until only a few thoughts emerge in the consciousness as if from afar.

You must devote the greatest attention to this thought control exercise because it is extremely important in magical development, a fact which you will later understand. Provided that you have practiced this exercise sufficiently and mastered it, we can begin with the instruction of the next exercise, namely mental development.

Bardon, Franz. Initiation Into Hermetics (pp. 53-54). Merkur Publishing. Kindle Edition.

Wouldn't you consider it a disputable and dangerous purpose the purpose of spreading a "usable system" with the goal that anyone may "start utilizing the universal laws", without explicit treatment of the spiritual and moral foundations of free human development?

[Kaje977]

Wouldn't you consider it a disputable and dangerous purpose the purpose of spreading a "usable system" with the goal that anyone may "start utilizing the universal laws", without explicit treatment of the spiritual and moral foundations of free human development?

Hello, Federica.
This is a valid point of criticism. Are all exercises on this site categorically approached in the same way? We can put a disclaimer here, if possible. Or restrict access to the book, if that's an issue, and focus on discussing the practical content while the people interested can attempt to look for it themselves (and it's not really hard to find either). If that's a comrpomise, I can agree with that.

Anyhow, I do agree and I will make this clear right from the beginning here:

!

Message from: Disclaimer

IIH never plunges you into advanced practice midstream as many other occult systems do. Unlike methods crafted primarily to serve personal ambitions, IIH is founded on an unwavering moral core that demands you build character from the very start - a quality all too rare in modern, materialistically driven magical practices (e.g. "chaos magick" by Pete Caroll. Much more dangerous, IMO). This isn’t merely theory. It’s a call to genuine transformation. Many seekers are lured by the promise of flashy, high-level feats - dabbling in elementals or chasing the allure of accumulated elemental power - without first confronting the essential groundwork (that Steiner, and Bardon, provides). I’ve encountered those who abandoned the process, opting instead for a shortcut to quick fixes driven by selfish goals. Such impulsive approaches have not only led to personal disillusionment but, in some cases, to real, irreversible harm. These dangers are not hyperbolic, I'll make that clear. They are proof that the system is potent, effective, and inherently risky if not approached with due respect. The exercises in Bardon’s Initiation into Hermetics are powerful and should not be undertaken lightly. Engaging with this work without proper preparation, guidance, and respect for its inherent risks may lead to serious, potentially irreversible consequences. Proceed only with utmost caution and comprehensive understanding of the necessary safety measures. And please, listen to Bardon's instructions and warnings. He didn't put them there for laughs.

This isn’t meant to instill fear, but it is a stern reminder: the practices outlined in IIH demand utmost respect and caution. It is potent, and mishandling it can lead to serious consequences. That’s why I’ve laid out some essential tips and precautions that help to guide you safely through the work. Many seasoned Bardonists have shared their first-hand experiences - take Rawn Clark, for instance, whose extensive knowledge is freely available online - to help illuminate this challenging path.

And here’s a fundamental, universal rule that applies everywhere: Don't be an idiot. Don’t engage in reckless actions unless you are fully confident that you know what you're doing and that they will yield positive results. By carefully following Bardon’s instructions and heeding his warnings, you not only safeguard yourself but also unlock the true, transformative power that this practice offers. I've said this many times, and so did others, and I am certain the members of this community here are mature enough to acknowledge this.

So, here are a few tips:

• Ensure Mental and Emotional Stability: Only begin the practices when you feel mentally clear and emotionally balanced, as inner turmoil can obstruct progress and lead to misinterpretation of subtle experiences. The "soul mirror" will help you along the way, as well, but first examine your present state of mental and emotional being such that you can
   
• Progress Gradually: Follow the steps methodically; master each stage of mental, astral, and physical training before moving on to more advanced exercises. I can't emphasize this enough. As tempting the later exercises may seem as a beginner, do not do them until you've mastered the previous ones.
   
• Maintain Pure Intentions: Engage with the work for self-improvement and spiritual growth, not to manipulate or control external events or people.
   
• Seek Reliable Guidance: Whenever possible, join a community of serious practitioners who understand the intricacies of IIH.
   
• Respect the Process: Recognize that the path of initiation is profound and lifelong. Patience and persistent self-reflection are essential.
   
• Integrate with Daily Life: Balance your practices with everyday responsibilities to maintain overall well-being and prevent isolation. This is likewise extremely important. You shouldn't turn into some sort of a hermite. Of course, there will be times where this will be necessary, but not always and it certainly shouldn't become a habit.
   
• Guard Your Energy: Practice in a safe, controlled environment, and always ground your energy to avoid unintended psychic or physical consequences.
   
• Keep a Detailed Journal: Document your experiences, challenges, and insights to track your progress and remain aware of changes in your inner and outer world.
   
• Do the Soul Mirror Work: Like Bardon (and Steiner) makes clear, without a moral foundation you're headed to failure. Do the soul mirror (shadow work), work on your traits, find at least 100 positive and negative character traits (and be self-honest), etc.

Online-Resources for IIH etc.:
http://abardoncompanion.de/ - Rawn Clark's website, including his "A Bardon Companion" a helpful guide that can be used along IIH.
https://www.youtube.com/@rawnclark1115/ - Rawn Clark's YouTube Channel.
(May Rawn's soul rest in peace. He left the physical plane a few months ago)

[Federica]

Wouldn't you consider it a disputable and dangerous purpose the purpose of spreading a "usable system" with the goal that anyone may "start utilizing the universal laws", without explicit treatment of the spiritual and moral foundations of free human development?

Hello, Federica.
This is a valid point of criticism. Are all exercises on this site categorically approached in the same way? We can put a disclaimer here, if possible. Or restrict access to the book, if that's an issue, and focus on discussing the practical content while the people interested can attempt to look for it themselves (and it's not really hard to find either). If that's a comrpomise, I can agree with that.

Anyhow, I do agree and I will make this clear right from the beginning here:

!

Message from: Disclaimer

IIH never plunges you into advanced practice midstream as many other occult systems do. Unlike methods crafted primarily to serve personal ambitions, IIH is founded on an unwavering moral core that demands you build character from the very start - a quality all too rare in modern, materialistically driven magical practices (e.g. "chaos magick" by Pete Caroll. Much more dangerous, IMO). This isn’t merely theory. It’s a call to genuine transformation. Many seekers are lured by the promise of flashy, high-level feats - dabbling in elementals or chasing the allure of accumulated elemental power - without first confronting the essential groundwork (that Steiner, and Bardon, provides). I’ve encountered those who abandoned the process, opting instead for a shortcut to quick fixes driven by selfish goals. Such impulsive approaches have not only led to personal disillusionment but, in some cases, to real, irreversible harm. These dangers are not hyperbolic, I'll make that clear. They are proof that the system is potent, effective, and inherently risky if not approached with due respect. The exercises in Bardon’s Initiation into Hermetics are powerful and should not be undertaken lightly. Engaging with this work without proper preparation, guidance, and respect for its inherent risks may lead to serious, potentially irreversible consequences. Proceed only with utmost caution and comprehensive understanding of the necessary safety measures. And please, listen to Bardon's instructions and warnings. He didn't put them there for laughs.

This isn’t meant to instill fear, but it is a stern reminder: the practices outlined in IIH demand utmost respect and caution. It is potent, and mishandling it can lead to serious consequences. That’s why I’ve laid out some essential tips and precautions that help to guide you safely through the work. Many seasoned Bardonists have shared their first-hand experiences - take Rawn Clark, for instance, whose extensive knowledge is freely available online - to help illuminate this challenging path.

And here’s a fundamental, universal rule that applies everywhere: Don't be an idiot. Don’t engage in reckless actions unless you are fully confident that you know what you're doing and that they will yield positive results. By carefully following Bardon’s instructions and heeding his warnings, you not only safeguard yourself but also unlock the true, transformative power that this practice offers. I've said this many times, and so did others, and I am certain the members of this community here are mature enough to acknowledge this.

So, here are a few tips:

• Ensure Mental and Emotional Stability: Only begin the practices when you feel mentally clear and emotionally balanced, as inner turmoil can obstruct progress and lead to misinterpretation of subtle experiences. The "soul mirror" will help you along the way, as well, but first examine your present state of mental and emotional being such that you can
   
• Progress Gradually: Follow the steps methodically; master each stage of mental, astral, and physical training before moving on to more advanced exercises. I can't emphasize this enough. As tempting the later exercises may seem as a beginner, do not do them until you've mastered the previous ones.
   
• Maintain Pure Intentions: Engage with the work for self-improvement and spiritual growth, not to manipulate or control external events or people.
   
• Seek Reliable Guidance: Whenever possible, join a community of serious practitioners who understand the intricacies of IIH.
   
• Respect the Process: Recognize that the path of initiation is profound and lifelong. Patience and persistent self-reflection are essential.
   
• Integrate with Daily Life: Balance your practices with everyday responsibilities to maintain overall well-being and prevent isolation. This is likewise extremely important. You shouldn't turn into some sort of a hermite. Of course, there will be times where this will be necessary, but not always and it certainly shouldn't become a habit.
   
• Guard Your Energy: Practice in a safe, controlled environment, and always ground your energy to avoid unintended psychic or physical consequences.
   
• Keep a Detailed Journal: Document your experiences, challenges, and insights to track your progress and remain aware of changes in your inner and outer world.
   
• Do the Soul Mirror Work: Like Bardon (and Steiner) makes clear, without a moral foundation you're headed to failure. Do the soul mirror (shadow work), work on your traits, find at least 100 positive and negative character traits (and be self-honest), etc.

Online-Resources for IIH etc.:
http://abardoncompanion.de/ - Rawn Clark's website, including his "A Bardon Companion" a helpful guide that can be used along IIH.
https://www.youtube.com/@rawnclark1115/ - Rawn Clark's YouTube Channel.
(May Rawn's soul rest in peace. He left the physical plane a few months ago)

Thanks for your reply, Kaje. I see that you are very passionate about this system, or at least so it seems to me. There would be much to say, but in short: what is the goal of developing IIH, and unlocking true power? If it's not too personal, what has been your purpose?

[AshvinP]

Wouldn't you consider it a disputable and dangerous purpose the purpose of spreading a "usable system" with the goal that anyone may "start utilizing the universal laws", without explicit treatment of the spiritual and moral foundations of free human development?

I see Kaje has responded with his personal experience and insights about the IIH path. I will add a few of my thoughts as well.

I do think it's suboptimal, and perhaps dangerous as you say, to begin such an inner training without the phenomenological foundations for most modern thinkers. The Step I, for example, could reinforce the 'detached observer' conditioning if the pupil isn't clear on why the exercise is undertaken, where it fits within a broader context of intuitive thinking development, how it acts as a stepping stone towards fully conscious concentration of spiritual activity at deeper scales of meaning, and so on. Quietly observing the flow of thoughts should only be a subsidiary exercise like the 'calmness of soul' exercises we have discussed here before.

Personally, I would not share IIH to anyone who wasn't already sufficiently familiar with PoF-style foundations. It is of vital importance that modern man does not forsake rigorous intellectual activity, but instead finds the portal through which such activity can be enlivened and become more of an artistic instrument for painting intuitive experience of soul-spiritual rhythms. It would also help if the pupil had begun exploring spiritual scientific revelations regarding the elements, sheaths, etc., to get a better sense of their underlying relations and significance within the first-person stream of experience. We should move our thinking thoroughly through these various domains-scales of meaningful experience.

Since all of that applies to us here, I felt it was safe to explore IIH. Even if we don't embark on the actual exercises step-by-step, as suggested, we can still live our way into what is being described and evaluate it in the light of our accumulated experiences, and perhaps share our questions, thoughts, criticisms, etc. For some, it could support our imaginative concentration efforts if we also experiment with a few IIH exercises.

[Kaje977]

Thanks for your reply, Kaje. I see that you are very passionate about this system, or at least so it seems to me. There would be much to say, but in short: what is the goal of developing IIH, and unlocking true power?

To make a long story short, I'd say that the ultimate goal of IIH is the ‘unio mystica’, although IIH is only a revelation of the secret of the first tarot card (‘The Magician’). The general goal of IIH is the mastery of the secret of the 1st Tarot Card, that is initiation (in general), the mastery of the four Elements in the microcosm and macrocosm (including the electric and magnetic fluid). Technically, ‘unio mystica’ is not quite correct. It is not just a pure work of the soul alone. Bardon is aiming for a two-way solution. A combination of the ‘mystical marriage’ and the ‘chymical marriage’ ("Rosicrucianism"), so to speak. That's why he combines mental, astral and physical exercises in each step and encourages practising all three in balance. As you can see, it is not surprising that Bardon's work is very Rosicrucian. Steiner has also written extensively about their teachings. The several abilities (often called "Siddhis") that would be acquired along the way are a consequence of this work, but they are not the primary goal of IIH, although it is very tempting and distracting for many pursuing the work. This is why the moral groundwork is so important, to not get distracted and tempted by these abilities.

To give general information about the works of Bardon:
This book ‘Initiation into Hermetics’ revealed the secret knowledge of the 1st Tarot card (‘The Magician’) in a complete and self-contained manner. Each tarot card represents its own initiation system. Bardon wrote two further books: ‘The Practice of Magical Evocation’, which represents the secret of the 2nd Tarot card (‘The Popess’) (it deals with ‘evocation’, sphere magic, sequential expansion of consciousness, etc.) and ‘The Key to True Kabbalah’, which represents the secret of the 3rd Tarot card (‘The Empress’). Bardon had written an incomplete 4th work (this has also already been published and is called ‘The Golden Book of Wisdom’ and was intended to represent the secret of the 4th tarot card (‘The Emperor’), which he was unable to complete as Bardon was later arrested by security authorities in Czechoslovakia and died in prison). Letters from Bardon show that he was also planning a 5th book, which was to deal with the secret of the 5th tarot card (‘The Pope’), which was concerned with alchemy, the magic of the primal Elements, etc.

In 1906-12-12-GA265A Steiner writes:

The Book of Thoth of the Egyptians consisted of 78 cards containing the secrets of the world.

The "Major Arcana" are those secrets (as well as the "Minor Arcana"). Bardon (and I assume other authors as well) provided extensive descriptions of these secrets hidden within the Tarot cards.

If it's not too personal, what has been your purpose?

I would say my role (engraved in my name (not my username), astrological chart, etc) seems to be that of a guide, a scientist or a ‘star for others to follow’. I don't have a clear idea of what this means, but I realise it when I teach others in various subjects. In practice, I seem to have a way of explaining things that others seem to grasp fairly quickly. While the teachers and professors at my university find it difficult to explain a topic in a way that triggers the intuition of others, I somehow manage to do this and am able to trigger the intuition of others and make them understand a topic quite quickly. This necessarily leads me to the conclusion that my life's purpose is that of a (spiritual) scientist and one that teaches others. But, of course, in order to teach, one needs to learn first.

[AshvinP]

The "Major Arcana" are those secrets (as well as the "Minor Arcana"). Bardon (and I assume other authors as well) provided extensive descriptions of these secrets hidden within the Tarot cards.

Here is some of Valentin Tomberg's letter on the first tarot, focusing on 'concentration without effort', which he described as the foundational principle on which effectively understanding and practicing all other arcana rests. There is a lot more in depth discussion in the book, Meditations on the Tarot, available here.

Meditation on the First Major Arcanum of the Tarot
THE MAGICIAN

Firstly—learn at first concentration without effort—what is this in a practical and theoretical sense?

Concentration, as the faculty of fixing maximum attention on a minimum amount of space (Schiller said that he who wants to complete something of worth and of skill, “der sammle still und unerschlafft, im kleinsten Punkt die grösste Kraft”, i.e. that “quietly and unceasingly he directs the greatest force upon the smallest point”), is the practical key to all success in every domain. Modern pedagogy and psychotherapy, the schools of prayer and spiritual exercises—Franciscan, Carmelite, Dominican and Jesuit—occult schools of every type and, lastly, ancient Hindu yoga, all approaches are in agreement about this. Patanjali, in his classic work on yoga, formulates in his first sentence the practical and theoretical essence of yoga—the “first arcanum” or the key of yoga—as follows:

Yoga citta vritti nirodha (Yoga is the suppression of the oscillations of the mental substance, Yoga Sutras 1.2)

—or, in other terms, the art of concentration. For the “oscillations” (vritti) of the “mental substance” (citta) take place automatically. This automatism in the movements of thought and imagination is the opposite of concentration. Now, concentration is only possible in a condition of calm and silence, at the expense of the automatism of thought and imagination.

The “to be silent” therefore precedes the “to know”, the “to will” and the “to dare”. This is why the Pythagorean school prescribed five years silence to beginners or “hearers”. One dared to speak there only when one “knew” and “was able to”, after having mastered the art of being silent—that is to say, the art of concentration. The prerogative “to speak” belonged to those who no longer spoke automatically, driven by the game of the intellect and imagination, but who were able to suppress it owing to the practice of interior and exterior silence, and who knew what they were saying—again thanks to the same practice. The silentium practised by Trappist monks and prescribed for the time of “retreat”, generally to all those there who are taking part, is only the application of the same true law: “Yoga is the suppression of the oscillations of the mental substance” or “concentration is the willed silence of the automatism of the intellect and imagination”.
...
All this is obvious and stands to reason. However, what occupies us here is not just concentration in general but particularly and especially concentration without effort. What is this? Look at a tightrope walker. He is evidently completely concentrated, because if he were not, he would fall to the ground. His life is at stake, and it is only perfect concentration which can save him. Yet do you believe that his thought and his imagination are occupied with what he is doing? Do you think that he reflects and that he imagines, that he calculates and that he makes plans with regard to each step that he makes on the rope? If he were to do that, he would fall immediately. He has to eliminate all activity of the intellect and of the imagination in order to avoid a fall. He must have suppressed the “oscillations of the mental substance” in order to be able to exercise his skill. It is the intelligence of his rhythmic system—the respiratory and circulatory system—which replaces that of his brain during his acrobatic exercises.
...
All practical esotericism is founded on the following rule: it is necessary to be one in oneself (concentration without effort) and one with the spiritual world (to have a zone of silence in the soul) in order for a revelatory or actual spiritual experience to be able to take place. In other words, if one wants to practise some form of authentic esotericism—be it mysticism, gnosis, or magic—it is necessary to be the Magician, i.e. concentrated without effort, operating with ease as if one were playing, and acting with perfect calm. This, then, is the practical teaching of the first Arcanum of the Tarot. It is the first counsel, commandment or warning concerning all spiritual practice; it is the aleph of the “alphabet” of practical rules of esotericism. And just as all numbers are only aspects (multiples) of unity, so are all other practical rules communicated by the other Arcana of the Tarot only aspects and modalities of this basic rule.

[AshvinP]

(2) Thought Discipline

We have learned to control our thoughts. The next exercise deals with thoughts which obtrude within us unwanted and persistently, and with not allowing them to emerge in our minds. For example, we must be able to occupy ourselves no longer with the chores and annoyances of our professional life when we are at home or in our private life. We must avoid all thoughts that do not belong in our private life and we must succeed in becoming a different person immediately. And vice versa: While we are at work or pursuing our profession we must direct all our thoughts towards our work and not allow them to be elsewhere, like at home or with private matters. This has to be practiced until it becomes a habit. Above all you must become accustomed to performing all tasks with complete awareness, whether it be in your profession or in your private life, regardless of whether you are dealing with something major or not. This exercise has to be practiced for the rest of your life, as it hones the spirit and strengthens the consciousness and memory.

Once you have achieved a certain proficiency in the practice of this exercise, you may advance to the next. This exercise is as follows: Retain one single thought or idea for a longer period of time while you steadfastly suppress all other thoughts which obtrusively try to join it. Select any idea or train of thought or any other suitable concept for this purpose at your own discretion. Retain this concept with all your power. Vigorously reject all other thoughts which have nothing to do with the one you are practicing. In the beginning you will succeed for only a few seconds, later on it will be minutes. You must succeed in maintaining and following one single thought for at least ten minutes.

(3) Mastery of Thoughts

Once you have mastered this exercise you can proceed with the next exercise. We will learn now to produce a complete vacancy of mind. Relax your entire body by lying comfortably on a sofa or bed or by sitting in a comfortable chair. Close your eyes. Vigorously reject any thought that attacks you. Nothing must be permitted to appear in your spirit or mind; only complete mental vacancy should prevail. Then maintain this vacant state of mind without digressing or forgetting yourself. In the beginning you will succeed, but only for a few seconds. However, through repeated practice you will become more successful. Once you have succeeded in remaining in this state for a full ten minutes without forgetting yourself or falling asleep, then the purpose of this exercise has been achieved.

Carefully record all your successes, failures, duration of your exercises and interruptions or disturbances in a magical diary. (Details follow in the chapter “Magical Schooling of the Soul”). This diary will give the student the means to examine his own ascent. The more conscientiously the student maintains these records, the better and more successful he will be with all the exercises that follow. Prepare a specific schedule for tomorrow or for the coming week and practice self-criticism.

[Federica]

Thanks for your reply, Kaje. I see that you are very passionate about this system, or at least so it seems to me. There would be much to say, but in short: what is the goal of developing IIH, and unlocking true power?

To make a long story short, I'd say that the ultimate goal of IIH is the ‘unio mystica’, although IIH is only a revelation of the secret of the first tarot card (‘The Magician’). The general goal of IIH is the mastery of the secret of the 1st Tarot Card, that is initiation (in general), the mastery of the four Elements in the microcosm and macrocosm (including the electric and magnetic fluid). Technically, ‘unio mystica’ is not quite correct. It is not just a pure work of the soul alone. Bardon is aiming for a two-way solution. A combination of the ‘mystical marriage’ and the ‘chymical marriage’ ("Rosicrucianism"), so to speak. That's why he combines mental, astral and physical exercises in each step and encourages practising all three in balance. As you can see, it is not surprising that Bardon's work is very Rosicrucian. Steiner has also written extensively about their teachings. The several abilities (often called "Siddhis") that would be acquired along the way are a consequence of this work, but they are not the primary goal of IIH, although it is very tempting and distracting for many pursuing the work. This is why the moral groundwork is so important, to not get distracted and tempted by these abilities.

To give general information about the works of Bardon:
This book ‘Initiation into Hermetics’ revealed the secret knowledge of the 1st Tarot card (‘The Magician’) in a complete and self-contained manner. Each tarot card represents its own initiation system. Bardon wrote two further books: ‘The Practice of Magical Evocation’, which represents the secret of the 2nd Tarot card (‘The Popess’) (it deals with ‘evocation’, sphere magic, sequential expansion of consciousness, etc.) and ‘The Key to True Kabbalah’, which represents the secret of the 3rd Tarot card (‘The Empress’). Bardon had written an incomplete 4th work (this has also already been published and is called ‘The Golden Book of Wisdom’ and was intended to represent the secret of the 4th tarot card (‘The Emperor’), which he was unable to complete as Bardon was later arrested by security authorities in Czechoslovakia and died in prison). Letters from Bardon show that he was also planning a 5th book, which was to deal with the secret of the 5th tarot card (‘The Pope’), which was concerned with alchemy, the magic of the primal Elements, etc.

In 1906-12-12-GA265A Steiner writes:

The Book of Thoth of the Egyptians consisted of 78 cards containing the secrets of the world.

The "Major Arcana" are those secrets (as well as the "Minor Arcana"). Bardon (and I assume other authors as well) provided extensive descriptions of these secrets hidden within the Tarot cards.

If it's not too personal, what has been your purpose?

I would say my role (engraved in my name (not my username), astrological chart, etc) seems to be that of a guide, a scientist or a ‘star for others to follow’. I don't have a clear idea of what this means, but I realise it when I teach others in various subjects. In practice, I seem to have a way of explaining things that others seem to grasp fairly quickly. While the teachers and professors at my university find it difficult to explain a topic in a way that triggers the intuition of others, I somehow manage to do this and am able to trigger the intuition of others and make them understand a topic quite quickly. This necessarily leads me to the conclusion that my life's purpose is that of a (spiritual) scientist and one that teaches others. But, of course, in order to teach, one needs to learn first.

Thanks Kaje, and sorry for the late reply. I have been busy and traveling. I wonder if there is, in Bardon, any explicit reference to Rosicrucianism, or to other traditions? In other words, did he see his existence and work integrated within humanity's evolutionary streams, including in their worldly manifestations in society and culture?

At this point, I admit I do not see how the manuals he wrote can represent a safe alternative, when compared to the extensive and highly contextualized work of Steiner, for example. In Steiner, exercises and practice could not have been the starting point. They only make sense once a certain level of non-esoteric understanding of, and affinity with, the nature of reality - as presented through a wealth of philosophical, cosmological, and applied works - has been reached.

I struggle to see how starting from mere exercises (and especially writing manuals about them) without a more encompassing effort to grasp how we belong to the universe, can yield valuable and virtuous fruits.
And from the perspective of the spiritual seeker: why dedicate oneself to free-floating and free-standing fragments - these exercices - whilst there actually is a solid ground - Anthroposophy - on which one can safely and organically develop the qualities of the intellect, the will, the soul, and then the higher cognitive levels, all in conscious vision and in balance between the first-person and the outer collective experiences?

[Federica]

Personally, I would not share IIH to anyone who wasn't already sufficiently familiar with PoF-style foundations. It is of vital importance that modern man does not forsake rigorous intellectual activity, but instead finds the portal through which such activity can be enlivened and become more of an artistic instrument for painting intuitive experience of soul-spiritual rhythms. It would also help if the pupil had begun exploring spiritual scientific revelations regarding the elements, sheaths, etc., to get a better sense of their underlying relations and significance within the first-person stream of experience. We should move our thinking thoroughly through these various domains-scales of meaningful experience.

Since all of that applies to us here, I felt it was safe to explore IIH. Even if we don't embark on the actual exercises step-by-step, as suggested, we can still live our way into what is being described and evaluate it in the light of our accumulated experiences, and perhaps share our questions, thoughts, criticisms, etc. For some, it could support our imaginative concentration efforts if we also experiment with a few IIH exercises.

Yes, I see, and it makes sense. For my part, I don't feel I have reached a level that enables me to usefully experiment with these exercises, and offset the 'opportunity cost' implied, but it is surely interesting to get to know various expressions of esoteric science in our times.