Invaluable Sense Awareness Techniques

When you are just setting out on your spiritual/magickal path, there are a few "basic" exercises that whilst may seem pointless at first to learn, later on down your path, their true benefit often becomes clear. They are referred to as "basic" not because of their simplicity - but because they form part of a solid foundation or building block upon which you can base your work.

Even for a more seasoned practitioner, it is always recommended to return to these exericses every now and then .. this is because often shortcuts are taken and sometimes well, bad habits do tend to creep into one's practice if you are not disciplined enough .. and I know I'm certainly not disciplined all the time.

The following sense awareness techniques can be found in the Cicero's in "Self-Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition" and are to be carried out over the course of eight weeks. They are:

(1) For the duration of a week, take a daily walk and make a mental note of everything you see, not focusing on anything in particular. Do not attempt to analyze or make judgments; merely observe. Keep a journal of your observations.

(2) For the following week, take a daily walk and stop, deliberately focusing in on one particular object. Take note of everything concerning this object.

(3) On the following week of daily walking, try to look for a single color each day. On Sunday look for orange; Monday - blue, Tuesday - red, Wednesday - yellow, Thursday - violet, Friday - green, Saturday - blue-violet (indigo).

(4) For one week concentrate on the various sounds that are heard on the daily walk. Stop at certain times and close your eyes, so that the faculty of sight does not interfere with this exercise. Do not attempt to analyze or make judgments; merely take note.

(5) For the following week/ take a daily walk and stop, deliberately focusing in on one particular sound. Take note of everything concerning this sound.

(6) For one week/ take note of different tactile or touch sensations that you encounter during the course of a day. Stop at certain times and close your eyes, so that the faculty of sight does not interfere with this exercise.

(7) For one week, take note of every taste that you encounter during the course of a day. Stop at certain times and close your eyes, so that the faculty of sight does not interfere with your sense of taste. For the following week, focus on one particular taste.

(8) For one week, take note of every smell that you encounter. Stop at certain times and close your eyes, so that the faculty of sight does not interfere with your sense of smell. For the following week, focus on one particular smell.