padmaclynne | Apr. 19th, 2004

Okay: (scribbled on the whiteboard in the hall, last night, because i was doing dishes)

every action for maximum benefice;
every action may be ensured maximum Benefice in an infinite array of appropriate actions.
but i live in the best
relaxation and supreme confidence

Now, what i think i meant, or, more accurately, what i think this thing i found myself writing means, is... oh, right, first off, benefice here means (regardless of actual definition) a combination of physical success and the smile of a diety. Not neccessarily "successful", but the best possible thing to do.

The infinite array bit: although certain rituals may be a good starting point, every situation is unique, and one should adapt to respect the worth of now. I firmly believe in working ecstatically and eclectically, as, well, for example, there are a huge number of ways to protect something. Or to heal. Sticking to one paradigm is limiting oneself. This is part of why anthropology and religion are very helpful. Also, psychology, sociology, pop theory, anything about understanding the mind. There is a part about how unconscious magic is powerful, and that's why the things i do without knowing why, the little charms i am always making, the moving things to other places, the building a freaking effigy in stage crew, the compulsions, are very important. Currently, the way i'm running things, those are when parts of me, possibly influenced by eris, do things to make sure things go the way they should.

The bit about living in the best, that relates to the idea that if i am firmly convinced that i am in the best possible world, then a) i'll be happier, and b) it will be the best possible world. Because it is.

The relaxation and supreme confidence is about doing what seems right in the now, because when i do, things work well, because i am swimming in the bubble of air that just happens to be moving in the way i should go. Okay, the bubble of air thing... connects to thelema, the universal will, i think the tao, all sorts of stuff:

Being alive is like swimming in an underground river full of rocks. You can just barely feel the ruffles in the current that mean you are headed for a rock. You cannot see, until you are right there. Then, you have to use your hands to feel a way around the barrier you are being smashed against, which is much harder and more painful than just avoiding the rock. Just avoiding the rock requires something like slightly shifting your left foot three hours ago. Which is easy, if you know to do it. The closer you are to the rock, the harder to avoid it. Now: let's make the underground river a crazy glass tube, with bends and stuff. Eris, she is standing outside, with night-vision goggles, and she occasionally will twitch a leg for me, at the right time.

Okay, that's version 1. Now, the will stuff. If i am doing exactly what the universe wants me to do, at that exact instant, it's like there is an air bubble where i want to put my arm. There is absolutely no resistance, and so, it's like swimming in a bubble of air. Synchronicity loves you at that point. Things fall into place, almost creepily. Well, really creepily, but in a good way. Okay, i need to go fold towels.