Question only for followers of a religion or spiritual teaching.

February-Saturday said:

The most important part of my path is cultivating a mindset of self-evolution without judgment. It's striving for your own growth without unnecessary limitations. That's what Satan is to me, He's a spiritual adversary that engenders change, and properly approached that change is growth.



I've learned humility. When I first got into Satanism, I was violent and arrogant. I got into a lot of fights, some where knives were drawn. Satanism taught me my actual limitations, and the virtues of focus. With that humility, Satanism has also taught me respect. Initially, that respect was solely for Satan, and then His spirits, and then my ancestors, and then my family, and from there a growing respect for everyone. These are all lessons I'm still learning and growing in, and I suppose I always will be until I stop existing.



I do. I don't think the way I've gone about things is the only way to obtain that growth, either, it's just the way that's worked best for me.

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Thank you for your reply
I will be honest and say, you are the first person who follow a path within satanism that i feel show wisdom, and in a good way. My view of satanism has always been that it is the path of the dark lord. But you write in a very positive way about your experience within that path

Amanaki said:

Thank you for your reply
I will be honest and say, you are the first person who follow a path within satanism that i feel show wisdom, and in a good way. My view of satanism has always been that it is the path of the dark lord. But you write in a very positive way about your experience within that path

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I almost didn't reply, because I didn't want to burden others by being excessively opinionated. I think it's important to relate to you the complexities of Satanism, though, and why I think many Satanists aren't even focused on looking for wisdom. Just keep in mind that this is my perspective and I'm leaving out a lot of nuance to save space.

I think Satanism can be very sink or swim, as far as paths go. I think of it like night. The cover of darkness provides all sorts of freedoms. Some people use that to go commit robberies or take out their competition, some people use it to sleep or to run away without being seen, some just enjoy the nightlife and join others in strip clubs and bars, and some lay down to watch the stars.

Satanism is a very open and a very liberating religion. I think that helps some people, but I would never recommend it to anyone because I know that the freedom can be suffocating. I think a lot of people begin Satanism thinking it's an easy way to obtain power, but darkness only removes false consequences, not all of them. I think Satanism is actually one of the hardest paths, because it forces you to confront your demons without any direction.

The truth is, and I sort of agree with the two Antons on this, Satanism isn't really something you can convert to. It's something you are. All it does is make you more of who you are, but it's the Satanist that chooses whether they want to change that or embrace it. Having been in two covens and initiated into an order, I've seen the darkness corrupt friends because they decided to embrace the self-destructive parts of them that freedom exacerbates. I've slipped into that myself, too.

I'd say give them time. Some of them will stagnate, and that's their choice, but there are plenty who mature passed the quick-and-easy mindset that Become A Living God popularized to capitalize off of. Before them, we had more devout and mature movements, but now Satanism has started slipping into the "black magick" mindset that Levi and Crowley were always warning about. After BALG, I think we'll see more of its former members adopting something a bit more nuanced and healthy. We're already seeing that happen.

I'd say be patient with them. A lot of Satanists end up in Satanism because it's the only religion that they view as accepting them or supporting them. The path they're on might be the only thing that's truly helping them, in part because their needs are beyond what most mainstream religions are prepared to deal with. I think the "black magick" mindset can even be a good thing, because it reaches out to people that are pathologically individualistic and stubborn and gives them an opening to make personal progress without denying who they are or forcing their hand. It might not lead them to enlightenment, but it doesn't have to.

Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

February-Saturday said:

I almost didn't reply, because I didn't want to burden others by being excessively opinionated. I think it's important to relate to you the complexities of Satanism, though, and why I think many Satanists aren't even focused on looking for wisdom. Just keep in mind that this is my perspective and I'm leaving out a lot of nuance to save space.

I think Satanism can be very sink or swim, as far as paths go. I think of it like night. The cover of darkness provides all sorts of freedoms. Some people use that to go commit robberies or take out their competition, some people use it to sleep or to run away without being seen, some just enjoy the nightlife and join others in strip clubs and bars, and some lay down to watch the stars.

Satanism is a very open and a very liberating religion. I think that helps some people, but I would never recommend it to anyone because I know that the freedom can be suffocating. I think a lot of people begin Satanism thinking it's an easy way to obtain power, but darkness only removes false consequences, not all of them. I think Satanism is actually one of the hardest paths, because it forces you to confront your demons without any direction.

The truth is, and I sort of agree with the two Antons on this, Satanism isn't really something you can convert to. It's something you are. All it does is make you more of who you are, but it's the Satanist that chooses whether they want to change that or embrace it. Having been in two covens and initiated into an order, I've seen the darkness corrupt friends because they decided to embrace the self-destructive parts of them that freedom exacerbates. I've slipped into that myself, too.

I'd say give them time. Some of them will stagnate, and that's their choice, but there are plenty who mature passed the quick-and-easy mindset that Become A Living God popularized to capitalize off of. Before them, we had more devout and mature movements, but now Satanism has started slipping into the "black magick" mindset that Levi and Crowley were always warning about. After BALG, I think we'll see more of its former members adopting something a bit more nuanced and healthy. We're already seeing that happen.

I'd say be patient with them. A lot of Satanists end up in Satanism because it's the only religion that they view as accepting them or supporting them. The path they're on might be the only thing that's truly helping them, in part because their needs are beyond what most mainstream religions are prepared to deal with. I think the "black magick" mindset can even be a good thing, because it reaches out to people that are pathologically individualistic and stubborn and gives them an opening to make personal progress without denying who they are or forcing their hand. It might not lead them to enlightenment, but it doesn't have to.

Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

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Again thank you for a very well spoken answer
I would think satanism is just as hard as Cultivation of any spiritual path ( notice i say spiritual path and not religion)

Amanaki said:

Again thank you for a very well spoken answer
I would think satanism is just as hard as Cultivation of any spiritual path ( notice i say spiritual path and not religion)

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I think it is when looking purely at its content and what it asks from the individual. The hard part is that Satanism doesn't easily give way to community, and there aren't really Satanic teachers, and that's if the individual Satanist even looks for those. The difficulty doesn't come from the path, it comes from the lack of support that's often inherent to it and the difficulty of creating support for something so eclectic.

If I didn't prioritize Gnosticism and spirit work, willing to compromise on a large number of finer details, I wouldn't have been able to join covens or orders and learn from that experience. I wouldn't have gotten as much out of working with Paleros, Quimbanderos, and Western necromancers.

If you look at something like yoga or Buddhism, those sort of compromises are inherent to them. In Satanism, that compromise is not only not inherent, but explicitly warned against for people that aren't ready to make it.

Some yogis and Buddhists to struggle to find gurus or sanghas, and to them I'd say you're right, the path isn't harder or easier. And there are plenty of Satanists who do have covens and orders or teachers, and they tend to have an easier time (if any spiritual practice can be said to be "easier"). There's a lot of nuance on that topic.

Broadly speaking, though, this lack of support is a key issue that I see a lot more often in Satanism due to its highly individualistic nature. That could be because it's the path I'm closest to, though, I don't mean to presume.

Science realization of science realization was a life teaching less of the SON.

Self.

Father, the adult science self, did an evil act against human life continuance on One Planet. So the Hindu ideal says, only God owns the space of its own energy/body.....it cannot increase past itself...and if you tried to increase it to own more space...as if you are adding onto the natural order of what Stone is....which nuclear cosmologists, did. Then my theory proved you wrong.

One God Earth stone he says.

Knowing as science did that if you explain God the O stone what the Sun did to EXPAND it in is owned space...the Earth nearly core exploded. So knew water mass the flood sealed it shut....saved Earth.

Then the scientist in One God themes said and then I knew that pi O was a gas burning/gas cold cooling movement of the spirit upon the face of the DEEP.

Meaning the gases are all in space of God the Earth, water cooling evaporation of, the presence of allows stone to exist...safely, but also is the movement of the spirit upon the WATERS.

Spatial description human awareness of the higher spiritual movement of God in space, in our heavenly gas spirit atmosphere.

So said pi O is the highest spirit....so never change it.

Then science in mind awareness taught the description of light gases/burning fall ing out by G O D concepts...and said lucky that God saved us....by a science description of how the atmosphere cooled it spirits by ground splitting x 2 water evaporation as caused by nuclear science.

How the spiritual science ONE GOD theme, said I am the correct science theist....yet the female says in humanity, you never needed to be a scientist brother and whilst you claim holy identification, that identification was only expressed because the male science group attacked us.

Reason the o human being female ovary and baby life returned to the male self, is owner of forming your life return....hence when you do harm to your life body...the female Mother is notified as a human....and then tried to stop you from destroying life in our Nature.

Amanaki said:

If you are an atheist or there is no sign of your spiritual path in your profile, do not answer here.

So to the question.
1: As a religioues or spiritual person, what do you see as the most important in the teaching you follow/cultivate? Or maybe all of it is important for your spiritual development?

2: do you feel you have obtained wisdom that you did not have before? Would you be able to say something about this wisdom?

3: do you see the teaching as something that grows within you?

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I believe that if your passive you can be both happy and safe at the same time and that will make your inner peace omnipresent thus liberating you giving you happiness and safety at will.

Amanaki said:

If you are an atheist or there is no sign of your spiritual path in your profile, do not answer here.

So to the question.
1: As a religioues or spiritual person, what do you see as the most important in the teaching you follow/cultivate? Or maybe all of it is important for your spiritual development?

2: do you feel you have obtained wisdom that you did not have before? Would you be able to say something about this wisdom?

3: do you see the teaching as something that grows within you?

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Hi Amanaki. Some good questions. To love all humanity regardless of race, religion or no religion, nationality and treat all as equals and members of one human family without prejudice.

Amanaki said:

If you are an atheist or there is no sign of your spiritual path in your profile, do not answer here.

So to the question.
1: As a religioues or spiritual person, what do you see as the most important in the teaching you follow/cultivate? Or maybe all of it is important for your spiritual development?

2: do you feel you have obtained wisdom that you did not have before? Would you be able to say something about this wisdom?

3: do you see the teaching as something that grows within you?

Click to expand...

When I entered paganism, the very first thing I saw was that pagan religions are many. We have greek pagans, roman pagans, egyptian pagans, etc. And there were communities that didn't claim to be the only true religion. So, I thought ALL people are one. That's it. A huge family of 6 billion brothers and sisters. Then recently I read the new testament. It was a fairy tail. So, I abandoned the new testament completely, I care none for this book.

The wisdom I gained is the family mentallity. Pagans taught me that. Now that I see anyone as family, I can't go back.

Amanaki said:

If you are an atheist or there is no sign of your spiritual path in your profile, do not answer here.

So to the question.
1: As a religioues or spiritual person, what do you see as the most important in the teaching you follow/cultivate? Or maybe all of it is important for your spiritual development?

2: do you feel you have obtained wisdom that you did not have before? Would you be able to say something about this wisdom?

3: do you see the teaching as something that grows within you?

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1. As a Bahai, the most important thing is, the Bahai Faith is a way of life. It is faith that emphasizes on detachment of worldly things, and instead, attachment to spiritual qualities, specially honesty, purity of heart, humbleness, etc.

2. Certainly It has given positive effects and a true knowledge, but it also depends on actions, not just words or knowledge.

3. I see it as more spiritual awareness, which is like a light within. But, this light, which is the spiritual teachings within, can stay or even can be extinguished depending on actions. Things such as lust, greed, proud can turn off this light within.

Amanaki said:

1: As a religioues or spiritual person, what do you see as the most important in the teaching you follow/cultivate? Or maybe all of it is important for your spiritual development?

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Tat tvam asi. Thou art that.

Amanaki said:

2: do you feel you have obtained wisdom that you did not have before? Would you be able to say something about this wisdom?

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I feel I have gained further insight into my experiences. Another would have to decide if the term 'wisdom' would apply to such insights. I really have no use for the term as it might relate to my to understandings.

Amanaki said:

3: do you see the teaching as something that grows within you?

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No. It simply is.

Amanaki said:

If you are an atheist or there is no sign of your spiritual path in your profile, do not answer here.

So to the question.
1: As a religioues or spiritual person, what do you see as the most important in the teaching you follow/cultivate? Or maybe all of it is important for your spiritual development?

Click to expand...

As a Christian, the most important teaching is to love; love God and love your fellowman. And Christ is the epitome of love - giving his life for the sake of others.

2: do you feel you have obtained wisdom that you did not have before? Would you be able to say something about this wisdom?

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Most definitely. I've very much enjoyed my theological journey to this point and look forward to what the future brings. My views have undergone a significant shift overtime, so it's hard to try to say something about everything. But, in the vein of the last answer, I will speak of Christian morality and of justice. We all (hopefully) know that justice is a good and necessary thing. Justice is certainly an important topic in scripture. However, it is also clear that there are varying degrees of what is good and acceptable - and Justice is NOT in the highest tier, and should not be our first approach to problems. Rather, it is far more desirable that people repent, change their ways, and be forgiven than to face justice. Those that thirst for "justice" first and foremost and who lack compassion are not acting in accordance with God's will.

James 2:13 Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment

So first and foremost we should try to show mercy and love, talk through conflicts and attempt to make them right without any need for talk of justice. If that is enough to reach people that is best.

If we can't reach people by talking to them, and if their offense merits it, then we turn to the Justice System to resolve our conflicts and hopefully reach a wise and just conclusion to the matter.

If our Justice System fails, then things start to head south real fast and things may escalate into violent confrontations and even war (as we see now with our police in this country). War is undesirable but can be a necessity if things have truly fallen this far. Society can't function or exist without basic trust and respect between people and the authorities, not for long anyways.

3: do you see the teaching as something that grows within you?

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Definitely. The idea that there is a hierarchy of what is good, and what that hierarchy is, isn't something at the forefront of the scriptures or Christian teachings for the most part. It's there, of course, just not front and center. It's not something I've ever heard in a service growing up either. I think this is a shame, as without it there are seeming contradictions, such as between the goods of Mercy and Justice. It also helps to demonstrate the higher calling that Christians are called (self-sacrifice for the sake of others) to vs basic worldly morality (eye for an eye).

We also see this hierarchy in more specific issues, like marriage. Scripture teaches that the best thing for a Christian is to remain unmarried so that they may fully dedicate themselves to God. The next best thing, if you can't handle being alone, is to marry one other fellow believer. While there's nothing inherently wrong with a man marrying multiple women from a scriptural perspective, more women (even fellow believers) means less focus on God and doing his work. If you married a woman before converting then you are encouraged to remain with her, but it is least acceptable as a believer to go seeking out a non-believing wife - because she'll have her own beliefs and will encourage you to adopt them.

Quintessence said:

I don't know about "most important." On the whole my path discourages that kind of hierarchical thinking. Perhaps that in itself could be called the "most important" teaching: that all things have intrinsic value and all things are sacred. But what comes out of that idea is what matters. What comes out of that is, for example, a powerful animism that recognizes "person" isn't just human and humans are not the sole thing of importance or consideration on this planet. What comes out of this, for example, is an acceptance of things the way they are instead of constantly demanding they be something else, which in turn brings a sort of contentment and inner peace. And gratitude, for when you see the weave and understand how all things depend on all other things, there is humility and awe at the teeny tiny part within it you play.

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I like this answer Thank you for sharing