TWS: Project Montoring Thread

[FierFlye]

1. What useful message can you take away from the first chapter?

There are many problems in the world that are not of our doing, however, it is still our responsibility to try to fix some of them.

2. How does the material relate to your specific needs?

I am not ready to change the world just yet. I have a lot of self-work I need to do and I need the tools to do it. I'm hoping the Elements Path will give me those tools.

3. What material in the chapter do you want to focus on?

Grounding, which I've decided serves two different purposes. One is to root oneself, kind of like a safety tether so one doesn't get lost or spirited away during magical workings. Two is connecting oneself to the divine web of the Universe. To tap into the energy flow of All-That-Is.

Circle-casting, which I also feel has two purposes. One to create a temporary temple for spiritual work and two to create a container for magical work.

Creating a relationship with Air. Of all the elements this is the hardest one for me.

[Morag]

Way to go, you! And welcome to the SIG!

Thanks!

[SatSekhem]

So, how is everyone doing so far? I'll admit that I have read but not done much else for the first chapter. Does anyone have ideas for an activity/goal/challenge for the first chapter?

I just got my copy of this book in the mail on the 10th. I've read through all of the introduction, but haven't gotten started on chapter one. I wanted to find a notebook/journal like it was recommended before I delved deeper. I'll keep posting as I go through it, though.

I know many people are bothered by the book's Goddess-centered theme. It doesn't mesh with many people's religious views. What useful things can you find in the book so far? Are you able to throw away the parts that don't apply and adapt it into something useful?

I am bothered by the Goddess-centric theme going on. I can't quite comment, obviously, on what I can or will do in regards to further in the book and this sentiment. I am worried, though, that it could negatively impact what I'm trying to learn here. Is it really important to have Goddess-centered thinking when going through this book or will by polytheistic attitude be all right?

[Sperran]

Is it really important to have Goddess-centered thinking when going through this book or will by polytheistic attitude be all right?

I think so. Heck, I follow the JCI deity, and I'm participating. I'm just using the framework of the book and the story to get me started on some spiritual work.

[FierFlye]

Is it really important to have Goddess-centered thinking when going through this book or will by polytheistic attitude be all right?

So far it works to simply cut 'The Goddess' out of the exercises with out any loss of message.

[Waldhexe]

I am bothered by the Goddess-centric theme going on. I can't quite comment, obviously, on what I can or will do in regards to further in the book and this sentiment. I am worried, though, that it could negatively impact what I'm trying to learn here. Is it really important to have Goddess-centered thinking when going through this book or will by polytheistic attitude be all right?

I worked through two of the third paths in the last couple of years and I don't remember any exercise where you have to be goddess-centered to do them at all. I always thought of myself as a polytheist and not being goddess-centered. Some of the exercises I changed to suit me (which is recommended in the book). I remember that I never liked the circle casting words printed there much, so I just used my own words, but I found what they write about casting the circle quite useful.

[Waldhexe]

I haven't managed to reread the first chapter yet, but I'm thinking about just reviewing the elements path and the inner path and catching up with stuff I missed on my first go or deepening some things. It's not my time for the outer path yet.

I also really enjoy to read what other people think about the stuff there because the online group I worked with was very small.

[SatSekhem]

I remember that I never liked the circle casting words printed there much, so I just used my own words, but I found what they write about casting the circle quite useful.

I'm noticing this pattern with teachers and students. The teachers show the students how to cast circles in just-such-a-way, but the students tend to want to buck back and change it up. I've noticed this phenomenon at least on three separate occasions, myself included.

[Waldhexe]

I'm noticing this pattern with teachers and students. The teachers show the students how to cast circles in just-such-a-way, but the students tend to want to buck back and change it up. I've noticed this phenomenon at least on three separate occasions, myself included.

lol, I remember how much I hated a 2nd degree BTW on one of the moots I visited for telling me that my circle construction was wrong because at this phase of my development I visualized 8 trees marking the perimeter and she said I was constructing a grove instead of a circle. I still don't understand her problem with that, I find trees terrific for circles: they connect the worlds, they shield, they transform energy and nutrients...

Maybe being a bit pig headed there is because a circle is like my own room and I don't want anyone else to tell me how to arrange my stuff.

[Juni]

1. What useful message can you take away from the first chapter?

Life- action- begets chaos and impurity and pollution, that while natural is not ideal; we must be thoughtful in our words and actions, our silence and inaction, to create less negativity, and to combat its creation elsewhere.

2. How does the material relate to your specific needs?

Well, obviously I identify with the sense that "something is missing". And the fact that action is mine alone to take; I just don't know what specifically that action is, yet.

3. What material in the chapter do you want to focus on?

My original intention was to focus on the Elements path, but after starting to read it, I'm rethinking that choice. I'm going to read the Inner and Outer paths tomorrow and see if either of those sparks anything.