| A Common Thread |
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Most of the difficulties that face the people of our world are caused by their insistence on looking for the differences in people and culture rather than seeking to find the similarities in them. Remove the cultural influences and the spiritual moralities and most people become just people, each seeking to have as good a life as possible while raising their children the same. During World War II, Winston Churchill made the statement that England and America were two countries divided by a common language. This dilemma also has it's parallels in the Magical community. This common human trait effects us as well. One group feels that ritual is the only 'proper' way to do magic, others seek the aid of 'gods' and 'goddesses' for their power. The list of differences in the beliefs of even those of us who have enlightened themselves to a greater reality can still cause hard feelings and misunderstanding. This even between a group that has more in common with each other than the rest of the species that goes its way oblivious to the spiritual nature of reality. Whether Witch, Wizard, Cabalist, Shaman, Druid or whatever you seek to be, there are a few common threads to all these systems. Within each resides the understanding that each individual is a part of a greater Whole. We all believe that the Whole of existence is interconnected, with each part having it's effect on all other parts. We all accept that this entirety of being has a specific plan or order to it that continues to function along a specific self-organizing pattern that it evolves through. We have all also seen the indications that the entirety of the universe is still greater than the sum of all its individual parts as there is a spirit element that rises above the All. We all feel that through the trained and knowledgeable application of our will, we are able to manipulate and change some of the potentiality of these overarching concepts. We have seen that the only constant factor at work in our universe is the consistency of change. Every moment is a unique point in the space/time/spirit continuum. We have studied and found that it is only our specific beliefs that can limit the experiences allowed by this totality of being. Every moment of a person's life that they dedicate to construction and progeneration must be balanced with the knowledge of how easy it could be to destroy and that it is only our spiritual choice that makes the difference. We all know that the total manifestation of the material world is only a part of the totality of existence. We know that through the exercise of entering into altered mental and spiritual levels of consciousness we can find a wealth of other realms to add to our experience. We have found that there are entities separate from us on these alternate realms and that they must be leaned as they have their own sets of rules and beliefs in how to experience you in turn. We know not to question their existence because that is an unimportant element in dealing with them. The totality of the universe functions with the understanding they are as real as you yourself. And finally, the most important truth we all share is that the utilization of the inherent magical ability is created from within the practitioner. We all must recognize that whatever training method is used for the many various forms of magic work, they all have the same ultimate goal in common. It is to allow the enlightened human to rise above the mundane level and take their place as a true creator of their own world and destiny. We are all together on that quest for the Divine within us all. As well as writing and researching on the paranormal and occult phenomena that intersect our reality, Douglas Mefford can also be found helping spread literature to the world at Bell, Book & Candle Publications or hanging out at his bungalow in Greenwoods Village. 
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Comments (4)
  written by April (heroheidR), January 21, 2009
Great article, Douglas!
The Divinity in me, salutes the Divinity in you. Namaste!
 written by Elvira Bickle, January 21, 2009
Thank you for a most beautiful article. I most certainly seek to come nearer to the Divine within, which is the reason for entering esoteric studies.
Also, I agree it is important to find which we all have in common rather more, than which divides us. The reward for positive thought is positive energy. Positive energy creates utmost good, working magic. Thank you for such a beautiful article. Peace Verabickle
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This is so beautiful! Thank you so much for keeping up the levels.
I am a loner, so what I do is to take whatever good I find anywhere and use it, so this does not apply to me as such, as for me I see it as local customs. Usually good local customs.
I am fortunate to be a member of your site.
Thank you again so much!!
Yanna