Whenever I give workshops, I begin by writing the letters TFYQA on a blackboard. Well, actually I now have my computer write them on a screen or blank wall, but you get the idea.
The letters stand for “Think For Yourself. Question Authority.” I explain that neither I (nor other speakers at various metaphysical events) are lying or trying to deceive. Rather, we’re doing our best to explain some complex material. Sometimes it will be clear and make sense. Other times the approach of the teachers just doesn’t do it for you.
From Slide Presentations
That’s all okay. I suggest that people pay attention and try out what the lecturers have to share. “If it works, that’s great, because now you have new ideas, approaches or skills that you can use. And if it doesn’t work, that’s great, too, because now you know what you don’t have to waste your time with.”
In my opinion, the same is true of books. Books are written with ink on paper (or electrons on your screen). They are not written in stone. Read books. Read lots of them. Study what the writers have to say and practice any techniques.
Remember, however, that occultists are at the vanguard of the New Age, they are helping drive civilization into the Age of Aquarius. In this new age, instead of blindly following leaders, we will each become our own leader. There’s no reason we shouldn’t act that way now.
Recently, a person emailed me thanking me for Modern Magick. He wrote that he had studied it for years, he still recommends it, but he strongly disagrees with parts of it (he didn’t tell me which parts). I think he may have been trying to get a rise out of me and probably didn’t expect my response. I replied, “I’m glad that you disagree with parts of MM–it shows that you’re a thinker rather than a follower. That’s a good thing!”
I don’t care who the writer is. If you simply say, “Yes, I agree with everything this writer had put into books,” chances are you’re stuck in the Old Age, the Piscean Age. There are occult writers I deeply respect, but I don’t agree with everything they have published. I know some people who idolize Aleister Crowley and fawn over everything he wrote. And yet Crowley himself (at the beginning of Magic in Theory and Practice, as I recall) wrote that other teachers tell you what to think while he asks you to think.
I would agree and would ask you to think, too. Listen to speakers. Read books. Try out what they suggest. But then, come up with your own ideas. If some ideas and practices work for you, adopt them and adapt them. If some ideas and practices don’t work for you, abandon them. Dion Fortune wrote that there is no room for authority in occultism. Or perhaps more accurately, in the New Age, the only authority when it comes to your occult and magickal practices is you.
THINK FOR YOURSELF. QUESTION AUTHORITY.
I love how you say this and I try to apply it to not only the occult, but to *every* aspect of life. As a funny side note, I was reading in my “Lonely Planet: China” guide book about “Chinglish,” that is, Chinese mixed with English often producing hilarious results (example: “I unlike you put your shoes on my face” for “keep off the grass” or “deformed man toilet” for “disabled bathroom.”). (Though to be fair to China, this happens in every country of the world). Anyway, for those who know the basics about Tibet, it is a region (formerly an independent nation) of China where disobedience or protests are often met very violently by the Chinese government. Yet, a traveler in Tibet went to a bank and found an almost revolutionary sign posted up: “Question Authority”! Turns out, it was trying to say, “if you have any questions, ask a bank employee.” Not only was the Chinglish funny, but they seemed to inadvertently be spreading Don’s famous line!
HI Don,
I remember this saying from when you spoke it in your class back in the mid 90’s.
I’ve repeated it many times to other students in recent classes over the years too and always speak of where it originated from you.
some People know you and some don’t. THATS hard for me to believe but that’s the truth.
I always suggest your books and to look you up on the internet. let me say goodnight for now.
Thank you always for all you’ve taught and shared.