The expression "the map is not the territory" is a concept found in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). It's meaning is very similar to the concept of Maya in Tantra. In ancient Tantric concepts, as in modern Western science, the physical universe is seen as an incredible collection of energy. The stars are energy. The chair you're sitting in is energy. You are energy. This energy is represented as sound. In order for our consciousnesses to deal with energy the goddess Maya gives us the illusion of solidity. The chair is solid. You are solid. This illusion allows us to interact with each other and with the environment. Some people mistakenly assume that the concept of maya is that the

In Modern Magick I write about the two histories of the Kabalah. One, the most well-known version, is mythical and metaphoric. The second is factual and historic. This second history indicates that there are predecessors to Kabalistic thought and magick. One of these predecessors was local (i.e., Semitic) folk magick and beliefs. Sometimes, the folk traditions continued as a separate strain of spirituality. For example, you've probably heard of the cultural icons who are wearing a read string around their wrists for good luck. But according to Rabbi Ahron Lopiansky, "there is absolutely no genuine kabbalistic source for wearing a red thread around one's wrist to ward off the 'evil