Free Will

I appreciate the honest nature of this, which your author's notes so aptly reveal. One of the most difficult things we, as humans, can do is watch someone we love and care about go down the wrong path. Sometimes I think cult has a bad name, just as altar does. Whenever I describe my altar to one of my Christian friends or family, you can see the fear in their eyes. I guess they think I'm sacrificing chickens, or piercing a dove's heart with a needle. Yet, it's to an altar that they kneel every Sunday and receive communion.  

I think cults are fine to those who think alike, just as altars are to those who choose to define them, i.e. - as long as it's a Christian altar!  

I mean in some respects we're all sheep of some flock of belief congregating with likeminded individuals. Many could consider that in and of itself a cult, regardless of belief.  

But, yeah, free will. I fully get you.

I agree with you A.  Cult, as with many other terms, has been hijacked.

Certainly, dogmatic perspectives of different doctrines proliferate society in different forms, and create hysterias & irrational emotions.

It is interesting that you cite the idea of an altar, disturbing your Christian friends.  

The Bible explicitly advocates for everyone to create an altar, this being a doorway through which God might interact with you on a deep, individual level.

Also…  That all altars are connected to every other altar, thereby, increasing the doorways through which God might interact with the world.

I very much like this concept…  Like a beautiful inter-connected constellation.

I have altars at multiple locations.  I write at an altar.

Of course…  I get that if you build a “Satanic altar” or an “altar to Baal” that might be objectionable to certain personages…  or any god other than Yahweh…  

but it seems to me…  If an altar is a doorway…  and this doorway may be accessed by various “gods” or God…  Then no altar, in & of itself, is either good nor evil…  Rather…  it would be dependent on the individual transactions or interactions that come about, based on the activities therein…  and for this one might be subject to the laws of nature…  (pertaining to god & God… who can say which is which…  its far out honestly…  if you really read the Old Testament you will see some strange things…  Like…  how Sartre said if God told him to sacrifice his son, he would ask for ID.)

I think even a “Catholic/Christian altar” can be used for “dark purposes”.  (i.e. The Black Mass.)  Does that make that altar evil?  (oh…  that is a whole other topic of discussion & a controversial one…  even the various symbolisms employed in that particular system...

Can a “doorway” be either good or evil?…  That is an interesting question.

I think people may even have an altar & not even realize it.  (although conscious intent certainly makes the node stronger.)

Regarding cults, I feel this is an area where I must embrace the consensus, generally accepted definition, when I hear someone say they want to start a cult.  And this definition has connotations that have been established by numerous, modern, case studies, if you will…  

The modern cult is a mechanism of manipulation & exploitation, made so by the inevitable descent into an all too human will to power.  Maybe this is true of every human based system, of which a cult certainly is.  Or…  

Maybe all altruism is worthy of sainthood?  That is certainly a valid possibility…  Maybe “the flock” is always blameless & there is a reward for being blameless.

I am absolutely fascinated by cults, mystery schools, secret societies, magical circles…  

I have to say…  Every one that I have researched, has proven to be all too human.

From Mithric cults, to the Golden Dawn, to the Freemasons…  To the OTO, to the death cults of Kali…  To the cults of Apollo…  The Isis cults…  and beyond beyond…

I am a proponent of self reliance & self development, believing that all the elements of initiation & advancement are already present in each person.  And if this is so, one might be hurled into the wilderness alone, and in effect, be able to recreate a version of every esoteric truth that has ever existed.  

That is why I, personally, am attracted to what has been called Shamanism…

I say…  Throw yourself into the wilderness & you will find enlightenment.

All you need is you.

It is like the idea of purchasing salvation/forgiveness from a priest, when there is something called an interior church.

I do believe in seeking wisdom from others, and interacting & exchanging energies, but I just think most people are out to exploit.  

No truly enlightened being will exploit you.  

But belonging…  Well that feels oh so good.

That’s it…  When materialism enters the picture…  that is the great corrupter…

Perhaps that is why the decidedly non material cults, like Buddhism, stand out…  For a western mind, however, I think the concepts of Buddhism can be difficult to apprehend…  difficult to translate into pre indoctrinated frameworks…  not impossible of course…  I think anything can work for anyone, anytime…  if it works use it...  

Not many were built for solitude.  And that is totally okay and perfectly understandable.

It is undeniable that there is just a wealth of knowledge & wisdom that has arisen from so called cults.  

I think a most fascinating cult is the Hashishins…  or the Samurai…

Or the Mexican Cartels...   (brutal & inhumane I know...)

Or maybe the Russian Mafia…  (When those guys went to Siberian Prisons they would take an oath never to make money legally…  not saying that is right but the dedication & seriousness kind of inspires me…  I feel I can apply that energy in my own way…)

Or how the Samurai became the Yakuza…  and the Hashishins became ISIS… etc…

Or the Reddit Wallstreetbets cult that shorted Gamestop.

…  Yes…  I do tend to agree…  Everything is a cult…  

…  As a youth I was on a path to join the Latin Kings cult…  but I decided to go my own way…  

…  I guess I took The Road Less Traveled…

…  I joined the cult of Pablo.  :)))

…  The cult of Cipher_O

…  but I might be an honorary member of a plethora of cults…  :)))

So many people looking for answers ... I prefer to figure them out for myself ... not really on others ... so often it leads to tragedy ...

...  You do seem like someone who has taken The Road Less Traveled.  I think that is very cool.  

I think that tragedy is term that is transformative & able to be transformed.

"Il faut souffrir pour être belle."

hello dearest Cipher you have to go with your gut
manipulation of people's psyche is bad ju ju...

I'm glad you chose the right path...

That is so very true, dearest Crimsin.

My deepest thanks for this wonderful insight.

I treasure your wisdom.