• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

What is and is not the Western Left Hand Path?

EtuMalku

Abn Iblis ابن إبليس
The very first thing you read in the Wikipedia article on Right and Left Hand Paths is:
Not to be confused with Vamachara or Dakshinachara.
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).

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!
 

crossfire

LHP Mercuræn Feminist Heretic ☿
Premium Member
This also fits in with Aleister Crowley's (who considered himself RHP) explanation of the RHP and LHP in chapter XII of Magick Without Tears linked here:

Chapter XII: The Left-Hand Path—"The Black Brothers" - Magick Without Tears - The Libri of Aleister Crowley - Hermetic Library
Here are the same criteria from the OP from Various Western Left Hand Path Organizations that I posted in another thread for comparison and to show the cohesion of the Western Left Hand Path: Included are examples from Satanism, Luciferianism, Setianism, and Thomas Karlsson's Dragon Rouge.
Dragon Rouge:
Since this is now in the Same Faith Debate section, I will start by posting some of the definitions of LHP from different Western Left Hand Path Orders for comparison. This is the Philosophy of the Order of Dragon Rouge: Main points: Antinomianism and Self-Deification through self transformation, being reborn as an individual in relation to existance.

The philosophy of Dragon Rouge consists of the left hand path and its ideology. The left hand path is based on a philosophy which defines two main spiritual paths. One is the right hand path. It has influenced most forms of religion and mass movements. Its method is the light magic and its goal is the annihilation of the individual and to become one with God. The other path is the left hand path. It denotes the unique, the deviant and the exclusive. Its method is the dark magic and antinomianism (to go against the grain). The dark magical goal is to become a god.


The left hand path and dark magic is not a path of salvation that anyone can accomplish. For most people the established religions are more suitable. The left hand path is a demanding path that takes for granted that the adept is prepared to be disciplined, patient, responsible and courageous. We are strongly dissuading psychically unstable persons from taking this path. The same goes for people who are interpreting the philosophy as if we are now already gods and able to do our free will. To reach a free will and thus become like a god is a goal. We are not gods. We can become gods. In this aspect Dragon Rouge differs from many esoterists, new age ideologists and satanists who believe that we are already gods and do just have to realize it. We believe that we are carrying the divine inside us like a potential, but that we can only awake and develop this side through hard initiatoric training.

Man can pass through two births. In connection with the first birth we become individuals in relation to the mother. We are born physically. The light religions are preaching a return to the child state where one gives up freedom, will and responsibility to gain safety. Man can pass through another birth. In connection with his one we become individuals in relation to existence. We are leaving a life predetermined by outer conditions and are reaching a free will. Instead of being creations we become creators. Initiation rites among shamans, witches and magical societies have through the ages been a path to this second birth. The goal of the initiatoric magic of Dragon Rouge is a second birth and a self creation process that leads to the divinity of the individual.​
-source-
Temple of Set
Here is the philosophy of The Temple of Set: This is a long page, so I will highlight the main points: Separating Man from the rest of Nature, Antinomianism, Individualism, Self Control, and Black Magic quoted as the following:
snippet quote:

BLACK MAGIC
Followers of the Left-Hand Path practice what, in a specific and technical sense, we term Black Magic. Black Magic focuses on self-determined goals. Its formula is "my will be done", as opposed to the White Magic of the Right-Hand Path, whose formula is "thy will be done".

Black Magic is shunned and feared because to do Black Magic is to take full responsibility for one's actions, evolution, and effectiveness.

Since magic enables you to influence or change events in ways neither understood nor anticipated by society, you must develop a sound and sophisticated appreciation for the ethics governing your own motives, decisions, and actions before you put it to use. To use magic for impulsive, trivial, or egoistic desires is not Setian. It must become second-nature to you to carefully pre-evaluate the consequences of what you wish to do, then choose the course of wisdom, justice, and creative improvement.​
-source-
The Order of Phosphorus and The Assembly of Light Bearers
I checked on The Order of Phosphorus and found it was rather philosophically convoluted (not surprisingly.) Main focus is on the Awakening of the Self. Here is their link.

So, I will then post the 11 Luciferian Points of Power as written by the founder of The Order of Phosphorus for The Greater Church of Lucifer: Main points: individualism, self-awakening, self liberation, becoming your own god/apotheosis, questioning everything (antinomianism.)


1. Lucifer represents the light of intellect, wisdom and power unique to each individual with the courage to ascend to this responsibility.

2. The symbol of the Adversary is that of the self-liberator and spiritual rebel who inspires self-evolution.

3. Lucifer represents the balanced torch bearer of Venus: the Light Bringer as the Morning Star and the Night Bringer as the Evening Star.

4. The Adversary symbolizes the spark of consciousness which questions everything, manifesting the individualistic path with accountability only to the self.

5. The fall of Lucifer or Satan symbolizes the liberation of the mind from the slave-mentality and the courage to explore and master the darkness within. One may not offer the illumination of the Morning Star without the wisdom of the darkness within.

6. The Adversary represents rebellion with purpose: wisdom, strength and power.

7. Lucifer represents the courage and fortitude to acquire healthy self-love, leading to the responsibility of honoring your temple of mind, body and spirit.

8. To become your own god you must have the wisdom and strength to govern and guide your life as if your mind is to survive beyond the mortal body.

9. Indulgence with restraint, love for the deserving and disdain for those undeserving.

10. Lucifer represents the insight that every act, no matter if perceived as selfless, is at core a selfish act. Even if helping others is your passion, the brain still receives a chemical reward triggered by the act. This is why many consider that doing good deeds in society may bring you closer to “god”. Recognize you are selfish, then see this fact in all others while observing. Accept this and then with this knowledge, make choices that would benefit not only yourself but your loved ones’ when possible.

11. To become a god is to fully understand that you possess the power to create and sustain your path in life and illuminate the light of self-determined potential.

– written for the Greater Church of Lucifer by Michael W. Ford​
The Sect of the Horned God
The Sect of the Horned God: Main points: Individualism, self-transformation and deification through ones own efforts. Main pillars: Philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche, Psychology of Carl Jung, Mythology of Joseph Campbell, Occultism of Anton LeVey.
snippet:

The Sect of the Horned God is an incorporated entity whose primary objective encompasses the work of four philosophers in its relation to the left-hand path: Friedrich Nietzsche (Philosophy), Carl Gustav Jung (Psychology), Joseph Campbell (Mythology) and Anton LaVey (Occultism).

Our purpose is to awaken people and get them to live (in the words of the late, great Anton LaVey) a “vital existence”. But to live that vital existence might encompass a journey which may entail going deep into the dark halls of one’s psyche and face the reality of deconstructing the mind. That said, areas of study offered in the Sect are not one of absolutes or dogma, but rather that of gaining a deeper awareness of oneself and the path you are on, while emphasizing a passion for living.
-source-
Main page of The Sect of the Horned God
 
Last edited:

EtuMalku

Abn Iblis ابن إبليس
If I might add one more . . .

The Herald of the Dawn
Perennial philosophy is the understanding that all the world's right hand path religions share a single, universal doctrine. This doctrine posits that the highest good that human life can achieve is through a relationship with a Supreme Being / Energy of the Universe.

The way in which this is achieved is through the deception of one's conscious awareness into believing that one has been accepted by this Supreme Being / Energy otherwise known as the objective universe.

This is not the stance taken by us, the objective universe is seen as it plainly is, a non-conscious, unintelligent, memetic mechanism composed of Time, Space & Matter. To absolve one's self into this is antithetic to the western left hand path goals of individuation and autotheism, we strive to become More Than Human.

Practices that ultimately result in some form of union with the idea of an Absolute are Right Hand Path practices, this includes any heterodox systems.

The Western LHP is antinomian, it is where the Adversary is Within. It is a practice of Individuation, the separation from all that is the objective universe (a.k.a. God / the Absolute) and the Liberation from that which holds us back from Autotheism
 

crossfire

LHP Mercuræn Feminist Heretic ☿
Premium Member
Order of the Serpent: also affirms the WLHP
-source-
snippet
The O.S. is rooted in extreme individualism, and its members are capable of working with a concept and forming their own thoughts, ideas, and understanding of them. Discussion and rational debate are both welcome and encouraged. Those involved are able to form their own belief systems, tables of correspondences, tools of initiation, and able to forge their own unique path. Unlike most other metaphysical ideologies which seek to dissolve the self, subjugate it to questionable beings, or even deny its existence by reducing it to pure matter, the O.S. seeks to increase its own freedom of Mind and Will, and that of others. It recognizes the Self, the one thing each being can truly know to exist, as the center of reasoning, as well as the center of society. Rather than seeing humans as deterministic slaves, fallen beings in need of saving, or creatures meant to serve the State, the Order believes that Self-Actualization at the individual level is the key to human advancement. In a world where humans are little more than statistics, the Order of the Serpent recognizes that all change, as well as all knowledge, begins with the individual Self.

Unlike a symbolic occult organization, some sort of statement, or simply a self-help group, the O.S. is an esoteric organization, founded upon the metaphysical position that there is something beyond the simple world of matter and psychology. Whether the creator God of the West, the mindless Nature of materialism, or flowing Way of the East, the Order of the Serpent recognizes these as one in the same, an order imposed upon chaos that underlies, creates, and drives the entire cosmos. The difference with the Esoteric Western Left Hand Path, the O.S. included, is that we do not accept that this order is complete, wholly deterministic, or even necessarily “good.”
 

crossfire

LHP Mercuræn Feminist Heretic ☿
Premium Member
Lucian Black's Luciferian Order also emphasizes Self-mastery, individualism, self-awakening, and self-transformation, and apotheosis

http://www.luciferianorder.com/about
Snippet

The Luciferian Order exists primarily as a network of individuals, who collectively, of their own free will, ensue the advancement of “Self” and humanity through the embodiment of Luciferic Principles. Serving as a dedicated body of occult knowledge; the Luciferian Order remains adherent to the Arcanum of Light and Knowledge exemplified within a logical and justifiable Luciferian Philosophy. A Luciferian ideology, emblematic of the Light and empowerment of Intellectual Illumination. It is the Secret Science of the Self-Sovereign; an ever evolving path of Self-Actualization. It is the path of Darkness and Light which is embodied within the Soular being, of Self-Knowledge, Self-Discipline, Self-Becoming, Self-Mastery, Self-Sovereignty and Self-Ascension.
Since its inception in 2005, the Luciferian Order has been instrumental in developing core philosophies of modern Luciferianism. Prior to the rise of the Luciferian Order, Luciferianism was widely spread and falsely associated with Satanism and Black Magick. Lucian Black, an Occult Scientist and founder of the Luciferian Order sought to establish an authentic Luciferian Philosophy representing the highest and most noble principles of Intellectual Illumination, Conscious Evolution, Self-Mastery and Apotheosis.​
 

crossfire

LHP Mercuræn Feminist Heretic ☿
Premium Member
Jeremy Crow's Ziggurat of Enki
-source-
snippet:


The Ziggurat of Enki - An Evolution of the Black Lodge

jeremycrow (52) in occult • 7 months ago


What is The Ziggurat of Enki?

The Ziggurat of Enki (ZoE) is an Open Source Initiatory System for operating Temporary Autonomous Temples which provide ritualized Ordeals inspired by Babylonian mythology. A Ziggurat is a Babylonian stepped pyramid and Enki is the Babylonian lightbringer (like Prometheus.) ZoE is a new way of engaging with Lodge style esoteric initiation that eliminates many of the restrictions and control structures that bind most Esoteric Orders. One could think of ZoE as an alternative to Freemasonry or the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO) which has been designed specifically with the needs of Left Hand Path (or Complete Path) practitioners in mind. The following video goes into some of the main differences and innovations the ZoE has to offer when compared to the more traditional Orders and Fraternities

  • Left Hand Path: The Ziggurat of Enki was designed from the ground up using Left Hand Path first principles. Compare this to the OTO and Freemasonry which were designed to be Right Hand Path organizations. For more information about the differences between RHP and LHP, check out my short video on the subject here: RHP and LHP

  • Babylonian Mythos: The ZoE utilizes the mythology of ancient Babylon as inspiration for the initiation ceremonies. Compare this to Freemasonry which uses stories and characters from the Jewish scriptures or the OTO which utilizes characters from the era of the Crusades. The first initiation ceremony in the ZoE reenacts the Descent of Ishtar myth from ancient Babylon. To hear my casual retelling of this myth, check out this video: The Descent of Ishtar

  • Ritualized Ordeals: Most Esoteric Orders and Fraternities rely on the element of surprise to instigate a potentially transformative altered state in the candidate. They generally utilize the mechanism of "secrets" that are held by the Order, although the status of this information as actually "secret" is questionable at best. The ZoE takes another tactic here. The Oath of Secrecy is not used (providing a much greater level of freedom for members) but in it's place we utilize various methods of creating an Ordeal which must be overcome. For a more in-depth examination of the issues that come along with Oaths of Secrecy in Esoteric Orders, please watch the following video: Oaths of Coercion - Occult Secrecy Abused

  • Open Source: Almost every Esoteric Order in existence today has some sort of established hierarchy which controls how members can engage with the system. This will generally include regulatory bodies such as Supreme Councils and Grand Lodges which will provide charters (essentially a letter of permission) to local groups to legitimize their Lodge. In addition to the requirements placed on local lodges by these higher regulatory bodies, there are usually fees and dues that local members will be required to kick up the ladder. In ZoE there is no Supreme Council or anything like that and members of local lodges do not need to send money to some distant headquarters. ZoE is therefore freedom based rather than permission based. All you need to start a lodge is to have a copy of the ritual script and five people willing to perform it. Nobody has to ever know about it other than those five people directly involved. This is ideal for a clandestine working group or "Black Lodge" with members who do not want their involvement known outside of the small handful of individuals they know personally and trust. In addition, a temporary lodge can be established, say at a conference, and then dissolved after the initiations or whatever other intended work has been performed. In fact, all lodges of the ZoE can be considered Temporary Autonomous Temples, in the sense that these groups are their own highest authority while operating and exist only for as long as they are considered useful by the participants. For more information about many of these concepts, please watch the following video: Lineage in Occultism


 

EtuMalku

Abn Iblis ابن إبليس
I created a post in the Hindu religion forum designed to solicit a definition of the End Goals of Shaivism and Vamachara. So far the results are clearly that the Eastern LHP is not the same as the Western LHP in philosophy and result.

End Goals?

This along with statements that I have already provided by authorities of the Eastern LHP clearly establishes a difference between East & West.
 

tayla

My dog's name is Tayla
Eastern Left Hand Path: purposely go against the set blueprint to unite and dissolve the Self into the All.
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.
Seems like the difference in "left handedness" between east and west is whether you merge with the All or whether you yourself become deity.

I notice there is no option to remain distinct from God yet enjoy eternal union and fellowship with this God. Seems like the most important option is missing.
 

EtuMalku

Abn Iblis ابن إبليس
Seems like the difference in "left handedness" between east and west is whether you merge with the All or whether you yourself become deity.

I notice there is no option to remain distinct from God yet enjoy eternal union and fellowship with this God. Seems like the most important option is missing.
To believe there is something to remain dinstinct from in order to 'enjoy' It seems very much in the Vamachara system and thus not a Western LHP tenet.
 

crossfire

LHP Mercuræn Feminist Heretic ☿
Premium Member
Seems like the difference in "left handedness" between east and west is whether you merge with the All or whether you yourself become deity.

I notice there is no option to remain distinct from God yet enjoy eternal union and fellowship with this God. Seems like the most important option is missing.
I think the OP classified that as Western RHP:
  • 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.
 

tayla

My dog's name is Tayla
To believe there is something to remain dinstinct from in order to 'enjoy' It seems very much in the Vamachara system and thus not a Western LHP tenet.
OK, thanks for the clarification. So is it a western or eastern RHP?
 
Top