I’ve been inspired recently to start a series of articles or posts on the pitfalls of delving into psionics and magick. I’ll doubtless turn this into another tab on the menu once I get enough articles posted. Anyway, let’s start with the biggest pitfall of all; delving into the studies for the wrong reasons.

So what are the wrong reasons? Long story short; anything other than personal growth and enlightenment. The trouble is, even many people who THINK they’re getting into the studies for that reason often are going it seeking power or self-esteem.

The problem here is that spiritual energies operate on a “like attracts like” basis. I covered this in a previous post. What frequency of energy you’re working with primarily depends upon your emotional state and beliefs. Ergo, if you’re full of fear or feelings of inadequacy, you’re going to draw more of that energy to you. It can literally create a downward spiral that leads to even worse negative energies and experiences. You might still get the results you’re seeking. What I’m talking about is just as likely to manifest as secondary side effects of your work.

Being psychic, a mage, a witch, a shaman, a star child, etc… doesn’t make you special. We’re all children of the Divine, and therefore equally special. That’s true for even the biggest muggle on the planet. To understand though, you have to look at it from the other side. What you’re essentially saying to yourself and the universe is “It’s the magic, not who I am that makes me special”. That’s a recipe for poisoning your energy and your work.

Pursuing spiritual studies for the sake of getting more powerful SHOULD be an obvious mistake. Just as many people fall into this trap though. Some are bullied, neglected or otherwise abused. Some are just evil and want control. Others lack the insight to understand that power is NOT spiritual growth. True growth comes from acquiring wisdom and discipline.

That’s a harder lesson to truly ingrain than most people realize. A former friend hasn’t learned that lesson in thousands of years and several lives. Since Lemuria, she’s always chosen the path to power over wisdom, what’s morally correct, and even relationships. Every lifetime she’s gotten weaker also.

Lastly, there’s pursuing spiritual studies to be cool or popular, at least with similar minded people. This is kind of related to that “thinking you’re special”. Especially since it’s playing at the studies to get external validation instead of for personal growth. My ex tried to dabble with spiritual studies to be cool and try to one up me. Even my books rejected that, literally! My copy of Barrett’s “The Magus” would shock my ex whenever it was was touched.

There’s a side lesson there that REAL books (and similar knowledge) have a feeling of energy to them. If you’re not ready for them or acting the poser, they can do anything from make their knowledge incomprehensible to something like shocking you. The good part here is intuition can tell you if this is a book that’s right for you and if you’re currently ready for it (or should wait a little and study).

So, to get back on subject, if you’re pursuing spiritual studies for any reasons other than acquiring wisdom and spiritual growth, you’re going at it for the wrong reasons. You can potentially create a good deal of bad karma and upend your growth.

No matter where you are in your studies though, you can always stop and change your goals and focus.