Phenomenon Chasing, why it's detrimental to the Work, and Examples

[Jakesully]

What is "phenomenon chasing?"

"Phenomenon chasing" is a term commonly used on the Cassiopaea forum here to describe the act of pursuing, anticipating, or identifying with possible ecstatic, psychic, or paranormal experiences as an end unto themselves, or as something to be sought after, generally under the mistaken impression that the experience of strange phenomena is evidence in support of progress in the Work.


Why is "phenomenon chasing" detrimental to the Work?

The chief Aim of the work is to awaken, in the esoteric sense - to become Real in order to be able to Do - to fuse a permanent magnetic center (a singular I).

Steps towards this end include studying the improperly working machine of your human body, clean the machine through proper diet, nutrition, and detox, and then strengthen and correct it via right exercise (Eiriu Eolas and Prayer of the Soul meditation).

When you seek phenomena as evidence of progress, you are only strengthening your little i's and the "Predator's Mind". It is important to understand how completely you are under the influence of this Predator's Mind, and how little you can actually do to struggle against it, except, in the beginning of the Work, self-observe and attempt to self-remember.


What are some examples of "phenomenon chasing?"

Here's a list of threads here on the Cassiopaea forum that demonstrate this principle, mainly by mistake:

Increasing PSI??

Telepathy or Alternate Reality?!?

OBE Flight Control

distractions from the work

Etruscans and time travel

Amethyst and Mention of Crystals in the transcripts...

Crystal volume and shape

Developing a precognitive ability and how to stop anticipating precognitions

The Wave and its effects (Thread covers New Age, Sedona, and Vortexes)


If you know of any other threads or sources that demonstrate this principle, please post them in this thread, and I'll add them to the list. Also, note to mods, if I'm not around and someone posts something to add to the list, feel free to edit this post in order to add the links.

Thanks!

 

[anart]

The chief aim of the Work is to self-observe, study the improperly working machine of your human body, clean the machine through proper diet, nutrition, and detox, and then strengthen and correct it via right exercise (Eiriu Eolas and Prayer of the Soul meditation), and ultimately achieve integration of all of your "little i's", and access to Will.

I think the above could use some correction. The chief Aim of the work is to awaken, in the esoteric sense - to become Real in order to be able to Do - to fuse a permanent magnetic center (a singular I). What you've written above are steps that are taken to achieve that aim, not the aim itself.

I notice that this is the second "instruction" post you've made in the last day. Is there a reason you've posted in this 'giving instructions' manner? Could it be a reaction to feeling as though you've been recently 'corrected' so you are now overcompensating a bit? Or perhaps you're just trying to clarify for yourself? Just wondering since the flavor of these posts caught my eye...

 

[Jakesully]

Yes anart, I think I am overcompensating a bit.

But also, I figure the best and fastest way to learn is to lose fear of being wrong and being corrected. That, and in the process I can begin to collect evidence and take mental snapshots of my Chief Feature.

I also want to demonstrate what I've learned, and have what I've learned be of use to others who approach the Work from the beginning. Giving back what I've received.

I'll go ahead and correct the original post based on what you wrote.

 

[anart]

Yes anart, I think I am overcompensating a bit.

Okay, then see if you can figure out why that is - where is that emotional drive to compensate coming from, where did it originate, how is it not appropriate in this situation and why? This is Work. ;)

I'll go ahead an correct the original post based on what you wrote.

No need to correct it, the thread itself corrects it.

 

[Jakesully]

Yes anart, I think I am overcompensating a bit.

Okay, then see if you can figure out why that is - where is that emotional drive to compensate coming from, where did it originate, how is it not appropriate in this situation and why? This is Work. ;)

I'll go ahead an correct the original post based on what you wrote.

No need to correct it, the thread itself corrects it.

Just had a thought. The emotional drive to compensate may be coming from a feeling of powerlessness and lack of control. So maybe I feel like I'm more in control if I can give instructions to others.

How did it originate? My mother was very controlling. She was always talking... I was almost never able to get a word in edgewise. She would get very emotional if I did anything she didn't like, which basically meant anything that was opposed to Catholicism.

 

[FireShadow]

This discussion on "Phenomenon Chasing" reminds me of a few ideas I have come across in my searching.

First, way back when I was first beginning to read various esoteric writings, I came across Elizabeth Kubler Ross's work. Aside from her work on the stages of grief, she reported increased phenomenon (out of body experiences and other psychic type phenomenon). She reported that she began to pursue these things and in in the end was nearly destroyed. She warns that to pursue such will just lead you down one blind alley after another. Kind of reminds me of how those 4D STS entities just love to lead a merry chase down the path to destruction... Sure, it is tempting, but are not most STS activities quite tempting? She recommends to just do "the right thing" in each situation and let the phenomena take care of itself (sort of like non-anticipation?)

Another time, a shaman I knew told me that there were two paths - The path of Power and the path of Love (and Knowledge/Wisdom). Based on my understanding of this topic, "Phenomenon Chasing" seems to be a pursuit of Power (and ability).