Right Hand Path v. Left Hand Path

[MysticFaery]

This is my first post! I do not know where to begin. I've been on a mystical journey for years…since childhood, really. When you study and learn a great deal of information, you get to a point where you don't even know what you know anymore.

I have a question and I ask you all to please be kind in your responses, for I do realize opinions on themes of this nature can vary on a variety of levels, due to a multitude of reasons (and perspectives).

When it comes down to the Right Hand Path versus the Left Hand Path…do you believe the ultimate goals are fundamentally the same? As in, does it matter which side is chosen, the RHP or LHP? For instance, are the end results ultimately alike? And regarding the science of the opposites both exist in one another eternally, thus are both sides essentially of the Light, as in the moon and the sun?

The energy comes from the individual, therefore "good" and "evil" could perhaps both exist within the LHP and the RHP.

Any responses or insight would be greatly appreciated! I am aware different religious groupings and/or philosophies change the meaning of RHP/LHP! Any perspective is welcome in response.

Thanks,
MysticFaery

[Zac]

First off there are many definitions of those..

Light and Dark

well from what I have seen when a person chooses either "Light" (RHP) or "Dark" (LHP) both end up in the same place. that is they have grown in a few of their aspects but become lopsided. for example one who considered themselves Dark will generally be great at offensive magic but not at healing or protecting others, Where as a Light individual wouldnt be able to fight back if attacked by a strong spirit.

through Deity and through Self

Many groups which consider themselfs to be RHP do things through a Deity and rely on their power. Iv'e only studied a little wicca but that is what i have seen of it. then there are those groups who work only on themselves without a Deity, and sometimes in the hopes of becoming a Deity. In this definition I would prefer the LHP because while i believe and love God I would never worship him and ask him to do my work for me. From what i have seen of Deity centric people is they have little or no power of there own, and if they ever stepped out of line with their worshipful master they would be left defenseless.

The idea related to the body

I will be basing this off of a right hand dominate person. in Tai Chi like practices the right hand is best for pushing out energy and the idea of the hard fist. counter to that is the left hand which is receptive and often used to absorb or pull energy. with this in mind you have to learn to walk both paths, or else you will have too much energy or too little.


like most dualistic schools of of thought there is power and truth in both, but when you try to take both you achieve the whole power that both paths are said to lead to but some how fall just sort.

[manofsands]

I agree with Zac. Choose neither or both,.. even if you favor one. That is ok, but understand as a whole you are both and need both. Even if you sway back and forth like the phases of the moon,... even if you appreciate the silent snow covered winters and the warm 'children of the night" sounds of summer... be both. Be grey.

As always.. in my humble opinion...

[lupenthewolf]

Balance is key in most things in life, too much of anything can be bad and the same is true of too little. In magick I find that by striving to maintain a balance I become stronger, but when I fall out of that balance I become weaker. You may chose to do as you wish, but I believe that you will probably come to the same conclusion in time.

[Ramscha]

This is my first post! I do not know where to begin. I've been on a mystical journey for years…since childhood, really. When you study and learn a great deal of information, you get to a point where you don't even know what you know anymore.

I have a question and I ask you all to please be kind in your responses, for I do realize opinions on themes of this nature can vary on a variety of levels, due to a multitude of reasons (and perspectives).

When it comes down to the Right Hand Path versus the Left Hand Path…do you believe the ultimate goals are fundamentally the same? As in, does it matter which side is chosen, the RHP or LHP? For instance, are the end results ultimately alike? And regarding the science of the opposites both exist in one another eternally, thus are both sides essentially of the Light, as in the moon and the sun?

The energy comes from the individual, therefore "good" and "evil" could perhaps both exist within the LHP and the RHP.

Any responses or insight would be greatly appreciated! I am aware different religious groupings and/or philosophies change the meaning of RHP/LHP! Any perspective is welcome in response.

Thanks,
MysticFaery

In my opinion the view of LHP and RHP are out-dated and unnecessary. In the esoteric scene it has become more of a marketing label then anything else, it is part of todays stereotype thinking. The best thing is, there is not even a general point of view of what exactly LHP and RHP are and what they aren't. Then there are also fields where the borders are very blurry, so why even bother? Maybe sounds like a clichè, but just be who you are and do what you like to do, in that case you will have the best drive on the occult highway and most likely get the most out of it. Also, about this grey-colour thing sandy mentioned: Don't just be black or white or gray, be colourful (I can't write "gay" in this context, can I?)!

Ramscha

[RoseRed]

I walk a twisting path. Sometimes it's left, other times it's right. Sometimes it's easy and other times it's like scaling a cliff face.

You really don't HAVE to choose one of the other. Why split yourself in half when you can be whole?

[manofsands]

Also, about this grey-colour thing sandy mentioned: Don't just be black or white or gray, be colourful (I can't write "gay" in this context, can I?)!

Sweet! I'm gonna be a Purple/Blue Paisely Mage!!

[Desecrated]

I got two hands, it makes it easier to use both when baking a cake.