Dear Thomas, >> So I would like to know other people's experiences (and good advice too) on combining different approaches. Taoism is an essential part of my life philosophy so I could not imagine giving that up in favor of something else. As for the Golden Dawn, since it too is a hermetic system, moving upwards step by step, I feel it too is possible to combine with Bardon's teachings. It just means - a lot of work!!! << Combining practices, especially when you're new to the practices, is a very slippery slope and you always risk missing the truly important and subtle aspects of the disciplines you're trying to blend. In my experience, it's far more profitable to stick with one system and follow it *thoroughly* than it is to touch the surfaces of several and penetrate none of them *thoroughly*. Any *one* of the systems you listed, if pursued thoroughly, is capable of taking you where you want to go. My best to you, :) Rawn Clark 16 Sept 2003 rawnclark@... rawn@... http://www.ABardonCompanion.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BardonPraxis http://E.webring.com/hub?ring=arionthebardonwe