EtuMalku
Abn Iblis ابن إبليس
The very first thing you read in the Wikipedia article on Right and Left Hand Paths is:
Another article I found clearly maps out the differences of the four Path types that are common topics in the Occult Community.
The WLHP has evolved over time in to many different paths, including Satanism, Luciferianism, Setianism, Ahrimanism, Mercurænism and similar paths.They all share certain common traits – apathy towards cultural norms/values, a high respect for subjective experience, and perhaps most importantly, a focus on the individual Self (as something Isolate and unnatural from the objective universe). This is taken to the extreme extent of self-deification, whether that means becoming metaphorically godlike in this life, or literally continuing as godlike being after death.
Many people try and say that the WLHP is invalid and such because of this, as the traditional LHP in the East still had the goal of the loss of ego, nirvana, etc. This, however, is specifically WHY the WLHP specifies that it is not Eastern in its very name. The WLHP is also apathetic to values and such, rather than strictly heterodox in nature. In some of Don Webb’s texts from the Temple of Set, for instance, he explicitly explains that sometimes teaming up with authority can be a means to success and power.
The WLHP does not claim a relation to the ELHP, rather the ELHP seems to need to cling onto its legacy and therefore ends up attaching itself to the WLHP. Heterodoxy and loss of the self are not of interest to practitioners of the WLHP. It’s also ridiculous to claim that the WLHP somehow is not real or is inauthentic, and there are many academic works out there discussing the topic.
My issue and why I choose to use terms Western & Eastern is that in the end the Eastern LHP practice (Vāmamārga) ultimately results in some form of union with some idea of an Absolute, the same in which Eastern RHP practice (Dakshinamārga) does. Therefore, in my opinion both are RHP practices, even though one is translated as LHP.
Another point with Vāmamārga is that it accomplishes its goal through heterodoxy practices which to me implies they accept the tenets of their religion of which they approach from an unorthodox strategy.
Lately, I read a lot of Shaivites claiming to be the original Satanism / LHP and that any Western LHPaths are merely confused aspects of their religion. I find this incorrect as well, since Shaivism's goal is also realized through heterodoxy and their concept of becoming Shiva is only in order to better experience the divine (Brahman).
Here are a few quotes from several authorities on Shaivism:
In Shaivism in general, Shiva is the name for the absolute or transcendental consciousness.
The Kashmir Shaivite is not so much concerned with worshiping a personal God as he is with attaining the transcendental state of Siva consciousnessSadhana leads to the assimilation of the object (world) in the subject (I) until the Self (Shiva) stands revealed as one with the universe.
The goal-liberation-is sustained recognition (pratyabhijna) of one's true Self as nothing but Shiva.
The individual is a mini Shiva, who, when he recognizes his true self, becomes one with the universal consciousness.
The attainment of Shivatva may be understood as complete merger in Shiva.
Given these tenets from the stance of the Western LHP Kashmir Shaivism is a RHP as the adherents are in some way or another in union with an external deity (Shiva) and not one's unique, individual higher Self separate from the objective universe and from external influences such as deities, of which the WLHP non-theists do not believe in.
Sources were:
In my opinion the Western LHP is antinomian, free from dogma, where the adversary is Within. It is a practice of individuation, the separation from all that is the objective universe (a.k.a. God) and the realization and reinforcement of one's true, greater Self (as opposed to our lesser earthly self).
I'll stop here should anyone wish to make an argument against me . . . or for me!
Not that Wikipedia is the final say in things, but it's a point worth bringing up towards my argument that the Western Left Hand Path (WLHP) differs from the Eastern Left Hand Path(s).Not to be confused with Vamachara or Dakshinachara.
Another article I found clearly maps out the differences of the four Path types that are common topics in the Occult Community.
- Eastern Right Hand Path: follow a set blueprint in order to unite and dissolve the personal Self into the All.
- Eastern Left Hand Path: purposely go against the set blueprint to unite and dissolve the Self into the All.
- Western Right Hand Path: follow a set blueprint in order to enter the afterlife of a specific deity/deities, and remain submissive to them.
- Western Left Hand Path: use or ignore the blueprint as it benefits or fits with your morals, separate the Self from both the All and deities in order to become a deity themselves.
The WLHP has evolved over time in to many different paths, including Satanism, Luciferianism, Setianism, Ahrimanism, Mercurænism and similar paths.They all share certain common traits – apathy towards cultural norms/values, a high respect for subjective experience, and perhaps most importantly, a focus on the individual Self (as something Isolate and unnatural from the objective universe). This is taken to the extreme extent of self-deification, whether that means becoming metaphorically godlike in this life, or literally continuing as godlike being after death.
Many people try and say that the WLHP is invalid and such because of this, as the traditional LHP in the East still had the goal of the loss of ego, nirvana, etc. This, however, is specifically WHY the WLHP specifies that it is not Eastern in its very name. The WLHP is also apathetic to values and such, rather than strictly heterodox in nature. In some of Don Webb’s texts from the Temple of Set, for instance, he explicitly explains that sometimes teaming up with authority can be a means to success and power.
The WLHP does not claim a relation to the ELHP, rather the ELHP seems to need to cling onto its legacy and therefore ends up attaching itself to the WLHP. Heterodoxy and loss of the self are not of interest to practitioners of the WLHP. It’s also ridiculous to claim that the WLHP somehow is not real or is inauthentic, and there are many academic works out there discussing the topic.
My issue and why I choose to use terms Western & Eastern is that in the end the Eastern LHP practice (Vāmamārga) ultimately results in some form of union with some idea of an Absolute, the same in which Eastern RHP practice (Dakshinamārga) does. Therefore, in my opinion both are RHP practices, even though one is translated as LHP.
Another point with Vāmamārga is that it accomplishes its goal through heterodoxy practices which to me implies they accept the tenets of their religion of which they approach from an unorthodox strategy.
Lately, I read a lot of Shaivites claiming to be the original Satanism / LHP and that any Western LHPaths are merely confused aspects of their religion. I find this incorrect as well, since Shaivism's goal is also realized through heterodoxy and their concept of becoming Shiva is only in order to better experience the divine (Brahman).
Here are a few quotes from several authorities on Shaivism:
In Shaivism in general, Shiva is the name for the absolute or transcendental consciousness.
The Kashmir Shaivite is not so much concerned with worshiping a personal God as he is with attaining the transcendental state of Siva consciousnessSadhana leads to the assimilation of the object (world) in the subject (I) until the Self (Shiva) stands revealed as one with the universe.
The goal-liberation-is sustained recognition (pratyabhijna) of one's true Self as nothing but Shiva.
The individual is a mini Shiva, who, when he recognizes his true self, becomes one with the universal consciousness.
The attainment of Shivatva may be understood as complete merger in Shiva.
Given these tenets from the stance of the Western LHP Kashmir Shaivism is a RHP as the adherents are in some way or another in union with an external deity (Shiva) and not one's unique, individual higher Self separate from the objective universe and from external influences such as deities, of which the WLHP non-theists do not believe in.
Sources were:
- Subhash Kak
- Dr. B.N. Kalla
- R. K. Sapru
- Dr. C. L. Raina
- Prof. M. L. Kokiloo
- Dr. R. K. Kaw
- Shri Jankinath Kaul 'Kamal'
In my opinion the Western LHP is antinomian, free from dogma, where the adversary is Within. It is a practice of individuation, the separation from all that is the objective universe (a.k.a. God) and the realization and reinforcement of one's true, greater Self (as opposed to our lesser earthly self).
I'll stop here should anyone wish to make an argument against me . . . or for me!