Philosophical Speculations

AshvinP wrote: ↑Thu Mar 27, 2025 1:19 pm 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 wrote: 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?

• 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.

Kaje977 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 28, 2025 3:15 am

Federica wrote: 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 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 27, 2025 9:06 pm 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?

Federica wrote: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?

Rudolf Steiner wrote:The Book of Thoth of the Egyptians consisted of 78 cards containing the secrets of the world.

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

Kaje977 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 28, 2025 2:10 pm 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.

Kaje977 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 28, 2025 2:10 pm

Federica wrote: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:

Rudolf Steiner wrote: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.

Federica wrote: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 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 28, 2025 12:49 pm 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.